Young film enthusiast wins AMA 'Party Safe' Video Award
A 25-year-old film and television student from Brisbane has taken out this year's AMA Public Health Community Services Award worth $5,000.
Carl Baker, a second year student from the Queensland College of Art in Brisbane, said he felt challenged by the concept of producing the 30 second video on issues around the use of 'party drugs' such as alcohol and ecstasy.
"Some people are going to do these things, for whatever reason, so it?s important that they have the right information," he said.
"I chose the 3D animation because it's a medium that young people can relate to," he said.
AMA President, Dr Kerryn Phelps, presented the award.
"While the AMA does not condone the use of illicit drugs, it does happen. As a community we need to work to ensure the harm associated with 'party drugs' is minimised," she said.
"The use of ecstasy and other 'party drugs' is increasing. Australian research shows that in 2001 6.1 per cent of the population had tried ecstasy up from 4.8 per cent in 1998.
"The AMA believes accurate, credible information must be made available to young people, parents, doctors and the medical profession, emergency departments and venue owners. All these people have a responsibility to understand the risks and to promote safe practices.
"This is often difficult, particularly for parents who have to negotiate the fine line between zero tolerance and harm minimisation, recognising that the ultimate harm minimisation is to avoid illicit drugs and alcohol excess.
"The AMA promotes choice on this issue. Information is power. It allows young people to take control of their actions by making clear choices. Ultimately, each person must take responsibility for what they choose to do.
"This sentiment is expressed clearly in this winning video which sends this simple message:
Just say know: knowledge is power
Buddy up: party with a friend
Hydrate yourself: drink moderate amounts of water
and most of all
PARTY SAFE
The award was presented in Canberra at the Toast Café and Bar. Mr Baker said he?d use the prize money to finance his final year production next year, a 45 minute 16mm film on a masterless Japanese Samurai. He hopes to get work in the industry when he finishes his course but would like to fine tune his skills at the prestigious Australian Film Television and Radio School with an ultimate dream of going to Hollywood.
A copy of the winning video is available in beta format to television news. The video is also available in VHS format to interested organisations keen to promote positive health messages.
The following figures were released in the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare's 2001 National Drug Strategy Household Survey.
Over one-third of the population aged 14 years and over had used an illicit drug (37.7%). Illicit drugs can include illegal drugs (such as marijuana/ cannabis), prescription drugs when used for illicit purposes (such as tranquillisers/sleeping pills) and other substances used inappropriately (such as naturally occurring hallucinogens and inhalants).
More than three in five (62.6%) people aged 20-29 years had used an illicit drug in their lifetime. Compared with other age groups, this age group had the greatest proportion of people who had ever used an illicit drug.
More than one-third (37.7%) of teenagers had ever used an illicit drug.
One in every three Australians aged 14 years or older had used marijuana/cannabis at some time in their lives
Over two million Australians aged 14 years or older who had recently used marijuana/cannabis.
Approximately 3% of the population aged 14 years or older have ever used or recently used amphetamines. The age group with the highest proportion of people who have ever used amphetamines is the 20-29 year age group (22.0%).
Similar proportions of teenagers (7.0%) and people aged 30-39 years (7.4%) had ever used ecstasy.
CONTACT: Judith Tokley (02) 6270 5471 / (0408) 824 306