Our programmes give young people facts and information about tobacco and other drugs which will enable them to make positive choices about their own substance use and increase their knowledge and awareness of drug related issues.
We know that tobacco causes a number of health issues and can be bought legally in the UK; though it is expensive to buy it is widely available. An increasing evidence base around the harm that tobacco can cause has meant that a raft of new laws has been developed in order to encourage people to stop smoking and to discourage young people to begin smoking. This action has had an impact with the numbers of smokers continuing to decline. Smoking is very much seen as an anti-social activity by many and many current smokers accept the risks and express a wish to be able to stop their habit.
There are any number of other substances which can be abused and can cause harm to individuals and society and which are available both legally and illegally, with some being more readily available than others - Illegal drugs including cannabis (still the most common), cocaine, ecstasy, LSD as well as the former ‘legal highs’ (now new psychoactive substances) such as mamba and spice all pose a number of risks but can be sought out and purchased from as little as a few pounds.
Solvents which can be bought quite legally can also be used as drugs and have a negative impact upon users; the abuse of prescription drugs is on the increase and a government review is underway into the issues raised in this respect.
Adolescence is a natural time of rebellion and experimentation in a variety of areas – often drugs can be seen as ‘cool’ or exciting by young people and they will be unafraid of trying new things, often quite risky things as they seek to find their place in the world and to ‘grow up’. Often young people will be offered drugs by their peers and they are unable to resist such peer pressure leading to them making poor decisions. The consequences of their behaviour will not always be immediate or apparent to young people and this can lead to repetitive negative patterns being developed which can be difficult or in some cases impossible to change and addiction can follow.
Education and prevention are crucial in any substance awareness programme. Here at Lifeskills Education our drug education modules form part of our overall substance abuse/prevention programme and address issues related to drugs head on. Young people are given facts and information about tobacco and other drugs which will enable them to make positive choices about their own substance use and increase their knowledge and awareness of drug related issues. We do not use the ‘just say No’ message, or use ‘scare tactics’ – evidence proves that this type of approach is likely to have the opposite effect on young people. Our drug awareness resources are designed to help students to look at the facts and health effects of drugs during lessons. This gives students the opportunity to explore the risks and consequences of their behaviour, together with teaching them how to make safe and healthy choices using our unique DARE DECISION MAKING MODEL. We encourage young people to respect themselves and respect others choices in relation to drugs and to understand that it is OK to choose not to partake when it can appear that others all around them are doing so.
Local stop smoking services are free, friendly and can massively boost your chances of quitting for good.
QUIT is the UK charity that helps smokers to stop and young people to never start. We have a diverse range of services.
Free Stop Smoking Services have been shown to roughly triple the likelihood of success compared to going “cold turkey” alone.
Getting support from the important people in your life can make a big difference when you quit smoking. You are not alone.
DARE to be safe and healthy.