A dog, neglected by its heavy-drinking master, is to be used to highlight the harm caused by alcoholic parents to their children, in a pilot project which is generating international interest.
Primary pupils in West Lothian are being given a resource pack telling the story of Rory, a fictional pet.
The pack, which has been introduced as part of the Community Action - Blackburn (Changing Attitudes to Alcohol) project, includes a digital music player (MP4), storybook, games and worksheets. The materials explain how Rory fails to understand why his owner mistreats him - until someone explains it is because he drinks too much.
The Rory Learning Resource, which is being piloted for six months in nine primaries, will be carefully evaluated and, if funding allows, it will be available for use elsewhere. There has been interest from as far afield as Canada and Belgium.
The new approach has been made possible by combining the knowledge of Alcohol Focus Scotland and NHS Health Scotland, the technological imagination of Fife-based Do Be Ltd, which develops fun and interactive learning tools, and the financial support of drinks business Diageo, working alongside the Scottish Government’s Alcohol Industry Partnership.
www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk
