A project run by a charity in the Cornwall region of England has determined that alcohol prevention efforts can successfully reach youths through messages sent to their mobile phones, BBC News reported Aug. 19.

The charity Trelya in early 2008 sent powerful and often humorous video messages to about 1,000 young people, most of whom reported that the messages caused them to rethink their attitudes about drinking.

"We found that young people thought it was cool, they loved getting videos on their phones," said project coordinator Rachel Martin. "It made them think about alcohol in relation to personal safety, sexual conduct and how to avoid risk."

Trelya now is considering the possibility of disseminating the messages more widely across the country. The organization specializes in using projects in the arts to assist children at risk of social exclusion.