"Vivamos las Fiestas en paz"

"Vivamos las fiestas en paz" wich in english means "lets live the parties in peace", its an initiative from the "Liceo International school" and the "Student´s Counsel network" to stop accidents related to alcohol abuse during the celebration of Quito´s foundation.

To Marco Dávila, director and founder of the project, the main strategy is to work closely with young people. The organization of activities to inform about the dangers of consuming alcohol like walks, dances, and music festivals, are part of the initiative.

These are the six main distinctive followed by the campaign:

THE BIG ACT:

It´s a walk arranged for all the schools involved in the campaign. November 21 it´s the date chosen to present the initiative in "Plaza de San Frcnsico" (downtown Quito). The school with more participants during the walk will receive USD 3000.

THE BRACELETS

5000 articles to promote the message of the campaign: stop alcohol abuse during december celebrations.

ADVERTISING

Several TV commercials are being released to aware young people about the dangers of drunk driving.

OTHER PROGRAMS

Traditional games like "cuarenta" and "carritos de madera" among other cultural activities like a band fight are being arranged.

DESIGNATED DRIVER

This is an initiative of the police department: a responsible young person will be designated to drive drunk people home during the holidays.

CONTROL OF "LAS CHIVAS"

The use of alcohol is forbidden in these vehicles.

In the year 2000 there were an estimate of 70 deceases and 500 injured people during Quito´s celebrations. In 2009, thanks to the campaign, this number went low to 22 deceases and 115 injured; according to the observatory of city security.