An advert depicting the dark side of excessive drinking will start being aired on Net TV in the next few days as part of Sedqa's annual campaign aimed at young people which hopes to promote healthy alternative leisure.

The public service announcement portrays a group of young people enjoying themselves on a night out. The table in front of them is full of alcohol, and one of them suffers the brunt of excessive drinking.

The announcement was produced in collaboration with Media.link, and Net TV is sponsoring its airtime. The agency is working on other announcements with other local television stations.

The agency against drug and alcohol abuse said the campaign - aimed particularly at 16 to 18-year-olds - includes posters to be hung in popular party venues and bars, cinema advertising and other printed material. Young people will be invited for talks within the community while various local youth organisations are collaborating to organise alcohol-free activities.

Sedqa operations director Jean-Claude Cardona said young people can better understand how to avert the risks of abuse through education and example by parents and society at large. The Health Above All campaign targets teenagers and young people though a variety of sources and in a range of settings.

Sedqa has also released a set of ethical guidelines specifically for those responsible for the organisation of public festivals of beer, wine and other alcoholic beverages.

The agency offers its care services both within the community and in residential settings, and people who need assistance can contact the agency through its helpline 151 or by visiting its website www.sedqa.gov.mt.