Monday, 11 May 2009
Drug Aware Pro 2009
Once again we look back on a successful Drug Aware Pro in Margaret River (31 March- 5 April), which Healthway has now proudly sponsored for three years after securing naming rights to the iconic event. Healthway has committed $450, 000 over two years to the Pro, which promotes the Drug Aware message.
The Drug Aware message targets young people and focuses on preventing and reducing harm from drug use. Drug Aware provides credible, factual information to help young people understand the risks associated with drug use, to inform their decision making, to help them be safe and to look after their friends.
The Drug Aware Pro has wide reach; this year attracting 8, 000 attendees over the course of the week. An international television broadcast was shown in more than 48 countries, and streamed live over the internet, to be seen by millions of viewers. The Drug Aware message received excellent promotion in the lead-up via press, television, radio, online & cinema advertising, and also through a number of competitions. High profile surfers including Mark Occhilupo and Claire Bevelaqua also conveyed the Drug Aware message to students in metropolitan and regional areas through school visits. There was also excellent saturation of the message onsite via signage, verbal acknowledgements, merchandise giveaways and during speeches.
The Drug Aware Pro is a men’s six star `prime rated’ and a women’s five star rated event, and one of the most prestigious World Qualifying Series (WQS) surfing events in the world. It is also one of Australia’s top tournaments on the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) world tour calendar. 128 men and 60 women from more than 24 countries competed for ratings points and an increased prize pool of AUD$270,000, with Melanie Redman-Carr (AUS) taking out the women’s prize and Dan Ross (AUS) taking out the men’s prize.
The Drug Aware Pro will be back even bigger and better in 2010.
