100% IN CONTROL

 

CAMPAIGN SUMMARY

 

100% IN CONTROL is Queensland Health’s alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention campaign for 12 to 17 year olds. Statewide strategies include Rock Eisteddfod Challenge, Croc Eisteddfod Festival, Rumble in the Jungle, Campaign Competitions such as the Spin Out Wheel, Chatback database, webpage, and resource production. At a more local level the campaign supports special events and projects for young people.

The 100% IN CONTROL logo and message were chosen by young people to reflect individuality, self-expression and a positive approach to alcohol and other drug issues. The logo, indicating control and power, is central to the philosophy of this youth campaign.

The message of the campaign is not about being 100% perfect but encourages young people to enjoy life to the fullest, take control of themselves and to think responsibly about alcohol, tobacco and other drug issues. The 100% IN CONTROL campaign was launched in Queensland in 1995 after months of development work and consultation with young people about strategies for the campaign.

100% IN CONTROL continues to be a well regarded, multifaceted campaign approach to alcohol, tobacco and other drug education for young Queenslanders. This exists in Queensland because of growing expertise and training in the importance of health promotion/prevention issues when dealing with youth alcohol, tobacco and other drug problems. The role that campaigns such as 100% IN CONTROL play in broader community awareness of alcohol, tobacco and other drug issues should also not be underestimated.

 

The 100% IN CONTROL Rumble in the Jungle was developed in response to the challenge of creating a sport-based project that addressed at crime prevention and alcohol, tobacco and other drug issues for at risk youth. It consists of physical and mental challenges developed around an adventure-based activity course, with young people involved in the planning, decision-making and implementation of how the day will run.

The young participants pick team names, war crys and design logos and banners. They follow an extensive team building and self esteem process, which includes being introduced to staff of various youth services in their local areas. The sports involved depends on the event and location but include high and low ropes, flying fox, obstacle courses, canoeing, climbing, rafting, mud slides, tug-a-war, team building and problem solving.

This is not a one-off event. During the lead up to the main activities, the young people go through team building activities, they participate in training events; they learn about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, and they learn to trust each other and create a real team feeling amongst their group.

The 100% IN CONTROL Rumble in the Jungle ‘How to’ Manual and Video was produced in 1999 and is used as a guide to the planning and implementation of all 100% IN CONTROL Rumble in the Jungle events.

1999 Chatback results found that out of 248 young participants:

  • 95% rated the event as excellent or good
  • 66% recalled health as a sponsor of the event
  • 93% recalled an associated health message
  • 80% said their involvement in the activity made them think about their behaviour in relation to the health message
  • 65% said their involvement in the activity made them decide to change their behaviour

The 100% IN CONTROL Rumble in the Jungle has been operating at a community level for over five years. In 1998 it was officially trademarked by Queensland Health and adopted as a statewide strategy for the 100% IN CONTROL campaign. It has received enormous community involvement via sponsorships, venues, youth participation and youth services support.

In 1999/2000, twenty 100% IN CONTROL Rumble in the Jungle events are scheduled to occur statewide.

CAMPAIGN COMPETITIONS

The 100% IN CONTROL campaign competitions are interactive activities that encourage young people to think about, and therefore learn about, alcohol, tobacco and other drug issues.

As well as being fun activities for young people, they also reinforce the 100% IN CONTROL message and are an effective way of providing young people with information and campaign resources.

There are over 300 alcohol, tobacco and other drug-related questions and answers in the 100% IN CONTROL Campaign Competitions Facilitators Manual.

Spin Out Competition Wheel
This is a spinning wheel competition where a young person is invited to spin the wheel and, supported by other young observers waiting for their turn, is asked a question which corresponds with the number the wheel has landed on. Upon the correct answer being given the young person will receive a prize, such as a campaign resource.

Trivia Challenge Game Show
This is a TV style game show with electronic lights and buzzers. It has three contestants, a compere and a scorer.

This competition has been designed to run as series of mini challenges, with the first person to correctly answer 3-5 questions being the winner. At the completion of each challenge the winner receives a major prize and the others receive consolation prizes.

CROC EISTEDDFOD FESTIVAL

The 100% IN CONTROL Croc Eisteddfod Festival is an innovative and proactive approach to tackling alcohol, tobacco and other drug issues which affect youth in remote communities of Queensland. The festival involves indigenous and non indigenous youth performances similar to the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge, as well as sports and careers clinics- all within a 100% alcohol and drug free environment.

As well as major naming rights support for the festival, Queensland Health ensures that 100% IN CONTROL activities are conducted in each participating school and community addressing both drug use and crime prevention. Culturally appropriate and locally developed resources focusing on crime prevention and youth drug issues are also produced.

The 100% IN CONTROL Croc Eisteddfod Festival Video Resource produced by Queensland Health further explains the event, Queensland Health’s involvement, the support strategies used and related activities.

In December 1999, Queensland Health was honoured to be awarded the Human Rights Award (Corporate) for the 1999 100% IN CONTROL Croc Eisteddfod Festival. These awards are presented annually by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission.

The success of the 1998 100% IN CONTROL Croc Eisteddfod Festival was acknowledged by the judges of the 1999 Australian Financial Review National Sponsorship Awards who selected Queensland Health and Indigenous Festivals Australia as the winner of the Science, Environment, Health and Education section 1998 100% IN CONTROL Croc Eisteddfod Festival.

In 1999, 100% IN CONTROL Croc Eisteddfod Festival was also awarded the National Australia Day Council Award.

The success of the 100% IN CONTROL Weipa Croc Eisteddfod Festival has created a vital new medium for the proactive expression of Australian youth culture - one which addresses health, education, employment, reconciliation and social justice issues in a powerful and credible way for participants, spectators, communities and governments alike. The communities of Kununurra and Moree have now staged their own Croc Eisteddfod Festivals, with more communities throughout Australia set to follow in 2000 and beyond.

Being 100% IN CONTROL is about having the power to influence things happening around you. It's also about understanding who you are and what you want. Drugs are all around us. Many people use them, one way or another - our families, our friends, our neighbours. But you have to decide what is the best thing for you.

After a party, you often hear horror stories about people who got smashed and lost control. Someone starting a fight with a good friend. A girl screaming and crying about her boyfriend. A guy passing out in the toilet and your mum or dad having to deal with them.

Getting out of control means saying and doing things you'd never do if you kept your act together. And the worst part about drinking too much isn't forgetting the stupid things you did the night before, it's trying to remember them..

Being in control means you can have a better time for longer. You feel better in the morning. You don't regret anything you said or did.

Enjoy yourself, take control of yourself and your circumstances, and most importantly