Our North East of England Regional Adviser, Eli Byass, reflects on the benefits of schools offering SMASHED, an interactive Theatre in Education (TIE) production for Year 7 and 8 students.

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Back in February this year, Fran Dainty, our CAP Regional Adviser for the North West of England, and I, being the Regional Adviser for the North East, wrapped up and braved the snow to make our way to West Yorkshire to visit Kirklees Middle School. We were there to watch SMASHED, an interactive Theatre in Education (TIE) production for Year 7 and 8 students. Joining us were PC Swift, Licensing Officer for West Yorkshire Police, and Craig Foulkes, Kirklees Partnerships Sergeant for Early Action, Safer Schools and Youth Justice.

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Although several months have passed since our visit, it feels like the perfect time to reflect on the experience. SMASHED is much more than a play. Designed to support the PSHE curriculum, it uses theatre to start honest conversations about underage drinking and the choices young people may face. Rather than telling students what to think, it presents realistic situations that encourage them to explore the consequences for themselves.

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The story follows three teenagers, each with very different attitudes towards alcohol. As the characters navigate friendships, peer pressure and difficult decisions, the audience is invited to consider how alcohol can affect not only physical and mental health, but also relationships, school life, confidence and future ambitions.

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One of the things that struck me most was how engaged the students were throughout the performance. You could see them reacting to the characters' decisions, empathising with their situations and thinking about what they would do themselves. It was clear that the story resonated with them because it reflected situations that can feel very real for young people.

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After the 40-minute performance, the students tookpart in an interactive workshop where they had the chance to ask questions and discuss the themes in more detail. This was, for me, one of the highlights of the visit.

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I was genuinely impressed by the confidence and thoughtfulness of the questions they asked. They weren't just interested in what alcohol does to the body: they wanted to understand the wider consequences. Their questions showed they had recognised that underage drinking can affect friendships, family relationships, education, decision-making and future opportunities. They had picked up on the ripple effects that alcohol can have across so many areas of a young person's life.

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That's exactly why productions like SMASHED are so valuable. They create a safe space for young people to explore difficult topics, challenge assumptions and ask honest questions. The conversations don't stop when the curtain comes down—they continue in classrooms, at home and amongst friendship groups.

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It's a good opportunity as summer school holidays begin, to recognise the importance of early prevention. Giving young people the knowledge, confidence and critical thinking skills to make informed decisions before they encounter alcohol can make a real difference.

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At CAP, we encourage our local partnerships to consider bringing SMASHED into their schools as part of their wider alcohol harm prevention work. It's an engaging, memorable and thought-provoking way to support young people, spark meaningful conversations and help them understand that the choices they make today can have a lasting impact on their health and wellbeing.