The Brac Against Alcohol Misuse (BAAM) charity got off to a running start on Saturday April 27, 2013, with a walk/run and evening of entertainment that raised more than KYD800 for its public education programmes.

Some 300 people came out to support the group, including 92 walkers and runners who followed the course from the Scotts Dock to the old airport.

Later the evening featured a variety of musical and dramatic performers, but also included testimonies from young people who had recovered from alcohol misuse.

In the months before its launch, BAAM worked with the National Drug Council (NDC) to develop a community-wide programme to raise awareness of the dangers of alcohol abuse, and in particular underage drinking.

Chairperson Mrs. Annie Rose Scott states that the idea behind BAAM was born out of a deep concern about the increase in the number of alcohol related injuries and deaths over the past few years in Cayman Brac.

“Our strategy is to educate, encourage and enforce, paying special attention to our young people,” BAAM Committee Members declares.

To help combat what the group describes as the growing problem of minors misusing alcohol on the island, BAAM is taking a three pronged approach, by: providing young people with school-based life skills, working with families to develop effective communications skills and creating an environment of community wide surveillance.

The event was sponsored by the United Kingdom’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office. It also received support from various private sector and community organisations and individuals.

Photo submitted by BAAM

Caption: Nearly 100 persons took part in the recent Brac Against Alcohol Misuse walk run.

See also iNews Cayman story “Brac Group against alcohol misuse had large turnout for Walk/Run” in iNews Briefs on May 6 at: http://www.ieyenews.com/2013/05/inews-briefs-4/