Gerringong teenager Sarah Young will be going sober throughout October – and is already prepared to be called on for designated driver duties.
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The 19-year-old will participate in Life Education’s ‘Ocsober’ fundraiser.
“If my friends are like, ‘who wants to go here tonight?’ then I might offer to do the driving,” she said.
“Your friends will love you for that, it gives them a lift home.”
Ms Young is undertaking a Bachelor of Social Science, majoring in Education for Change at the University of Wollongong.
The teenager is planning to be a primary school teacher.
Her desire to be a role model for young students has motivated her to become involved in Ocsober.
Ocsober encourages people to give up alcohol for the month of October (there is also an option to give up sugar) to raise awareness of drug and alcohol misuse, including the harms of binge drinking, alcohol-fuelled violence and traffic accidents from drink driving.
Money raised goes towards supporting health and drug education programs for Aussie kids.
Ms Young was concerned that irresponsible attitudes towards alcohol consumption from a parent or older sibling could normalise such behaviour in the eyes of younger people, and perhaps encourage them to start drinking at an earlier age.
“I am learning that throughout a child's development, one of the very big factors that influences their habits and perspectives is through observation,” Ms Young said.
“So for me doing Ocsober, I hope to stand as an advocate and as a good example for both children and young people and prove that alcohol doesn't have to be as involved within our lives as it is.”
Ms Young has decided to challenge herself by giving up both alcohol and sugar for the month.
“I want to prove to myself, my peers and the people around me that you really don't need alcohol to have fun and it is possible to hang out with your friends or go out for the night without needing to consume any alcohol,” she said.
“Interestingly, when I started asking people if they wanted to join my team and take up the challenge of Ocsober, they were very quick to come up with reasons why they could not or did not want to take part.
“I think it is sad, that at 19 you feel as though you can't give up alcohol for a month.
“In regards to sugar, I absolutely love chocolate and there are actually very few days that I last the whole day without consuming some form of chocolate.
“But I know when I have focused on healthy eating and cutting back on sugar in the past, I always feel a lot more energised, healthy and happy.”
Life Education is calling on Australians to stay sober this Ocsober and take a break from the booze for 28 days.
This year, Life Education aims to raise $700,000 during Ocsober to teach 640,000 Aussie kids in more than 3400 schools each year about the importance of healthy living and the effects of alcohol and drug misuse.
To donate, visit the https://ocsober2016.everydayhero.com/au/ocsober-crew-2016 website.