Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Kerry councillor says Pioneer Association needs to relate more to young people

A County Kerry councillor who is also a member of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association (PTAA) has said that the organisation needs to modernise itself so that it appeals more to young people.

Cllr Niall O'Callaghan said that young people do not see it as “cool” to be non-drinkers.  

Cllr O'Callaghan who is a non-drinker since he took his Confirmation pledge 30 years ago, said that there is a need to “modernise the pin and make it cooler.” 

He added that entertainers such as Ireland Eurovision hopefuls Jedward, who are non-drinkers, and leading sports people, should be used as role models for young people.  

The message has to be got across that you can be successful and have a good time without drinking, but that's not getting home to young people. 

“Look at all the young people on the streets of any town on any weekend and you won't see one of them wearing a pioneer pin.”

Cllr O'Callaghan said that the Pioneer Pin “needs to be made trendy.” 

He added, “Could there not be something like a Lance Armstrong yellow band for young non-drinkers?  I think the philosophy of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association is 100% correct, but it needs to be revamped in the modern world.”

Cllr O'Callaghan also revealed that out of the 215 children receiving the sacrament of Confirmation in Killarney this year only 107 have signed up to abstain from drinking until the age of 18.  

In some of the eight Killarney schools, the uptake of the pledge is as low as 38%.