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Aims:

• to provide a non-judgemental basis for informed discussion about drugs
• to clarify the legal position on a range of issues surrounding drugs in society
• to examine friendship networks in relation to leisure, behaviour and drug use
• to represent the views of a wide range of young people on friendship and drugs
• to examine drug use in society in the contexts of prevention and harm reduction.

Synopsis:

The A–Z of Drugs series aims to present a realistic and balanced view of current issues around drug use in society. It uses an A–Z framework supported by striking images and multimedia techniques. Each programme provides information on the use and effects of various drugs, raising issues for individuals and society in the process. Real-life stories and the views of young people, health professionals and those working to reduce harm from drugs provide major insights to a complex area.

Programme 2: F–O

Programme 2 examines drugs legislation and also examines the role friends and social groups have in a person’s decision to try drugs. Following the alphabetical format of the series, the programme then looks at GHB, heroin, ketamine, LSD and nicotine and their side effects.

Teachers and lecturers should familiarise themselves with guidelines that apply when working in drug education and be familiar with policies in their institutions relating to tobacco, alcohol and other drugs.

00.00 – 01.54
F – friends
Judgements about friendships and lifestyle.

01.55 – 04.14
G – GHB (Gammahydroxybutyrate)
Depressant. Dangerous with other drugs, especially alcohol. Risks: overdose and date rape.

04.15 – 10.53
H – heroin
Depressant. Addict tried it, liked it, kept trying, got hooked. Paid high price financially, socially and health-wise.

10.54 – 12.16
I – injecting
Instantaneous rush. Eventual difficulty finding veins. Risks: HIV and hepatitis C from shared needles, and deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

12.17 – 12.44
J – joining
Importance of making choices you really want for yourself.

12.45 – 14.24
K – ketamine
Hallucinogenic. Not illegal. Extremely strong painkiller. Risks: unconsciousness, robbery, violence, sexual assault.

14.25 – 18.10
L – law
Stop and search, carrying small amounts, selling and sharing, carrying from abroad. Court record undesirable for job prospects. Ex-offender’s story.

18.11 – 19.10
L – LSD
Hallucinogenic. Effects delayed. Changes perceptions. First aid for bad trip.

19.11 – 20.17
M – mixing
Brain finely tuned chemically. One drug affects it, two can cause serious drug-to-drug interaction. Alcohol effectively switches off decision-making capacity.

20.18 – 23.00
N – nicotine
Stimulant. Highly addictive. Many people wish they didn’t smoke. Hard to quit. Graphic illustration of all parts of body affected.

23.01 – 24.14
O – overdose
Caused by too much of a drug, or mixing drugs. Loss of consciousness major risk. First aid.

Curriculum Relevance:

This programme has a major PSHE and citizenship focus with opportunities for cross-curricular work involving human biology, psychology, sociology, religious and moral education, history, English, drama and art. It has a locus in whole-school approaches to drug issues in the school and the community.

England & Wales

PSHE and Citizenship: Key Stage 4
National Healthy Schools Standard for Citizenship: Key Stage 4

Northern Ireland

Personal and Social Education Guidance for Key Stages 3 and 4
Social and Environmental Studies: Health and Drugs Education

Teachers should be aware of relevant guidelines for Key Stage 4 emerging from the Civic, Social and Political Education programme of study in the revised NI curriculum.

Scotland

Scottish Executive: Guidance on Health Education, PSD, Citizenship, Drug Education, and Drugs in Schools – middle to upper secondary stages.

Background Information:

Young people are exposed to a wide range of messages about drugs and may have public and private views on the issues involved. Knowledge, understanding and exposure to substances will also vary according to culture, religion, community and socio-economic group.

Drug trends
A recent national survey of school children (2003) in one part of the UK resulted in the following trends being identified. Drugs here refers to illicit drugs, not tobacco and alcohol.

• 34% of 13 year olds said they’d been offered a drug; 13% said they’d used a drug.
• 65% of 15 year olds said they’d been offered a drug; 37% said they’d used a drug.
• Cannabis was the most commonly used drug. 31% of 15 year olds said they’d used it in the last year.
• Use of drugs like heroin and cocaine was very rare in this age group, in fact more 13 and 15 year olds said they’d been offered or used solvents.
• Both girls and boys who smoked and drank alcohol regularly were more likely to take drugs, but 13 and 15 year olds were less likely to take drugs than they were to drink alcohol and get drunk.
• Over half of 13 year olds in the survey said they’d been drunk at least once.

The general trends above are reflected in other areas of the UK but for information specific to the area where you work, visit the Links section or contact your NHS Public Health, Health Promotion or Health Improvement Department.

Why do young people get involved in drugs?
Although many school pupils are likely to be offered drugs, the majority still refuse them. It is natural for young people to want to experiment, to take risks and make their own choices. Some are tempted to experiment out of curiosity or because of family problems. For some it’s just a phase and part of growing up. Experience does vary a lot depending on where they live; in some urban areas drug use is common, but drugs are also available in rural areas.

What happens to young people who take drugs?
Most young people give up taking drugs of their own accord without experiencing major problems. However, possession of controlled drugs is against the law and could lead to a criminal record. In addition some people are more vulnerable to addiction and do go on to develop serious problems that require help. Some parents worry cannabis will lead on to other drugs. This is a controversial area but there is no conclusive evidence. However, dealers who sell cannabis may also offer or try to persuade customers to experiment with other drugs. It is important to remember that any drug use is potentially dangerous and carries serious risks to mental and physical health.

Activities:

Before viewing
Continue with the process described in the activities for Programme 1. The drugs featured in Programme 2 are: GHB, heroin, ketamine, LSD and nicotine.

Once again, briefly find out what students know about these drugs and add the outcomes to the display as described in the activities for Programme 1.

After viewing
Continue to add to the display by getting students to identify anything new they've learned from watching the film. Remember to constantly review and update the work following discussion, viewing and information generated from any other sources.

Key questions

• Did any particular image in the film really catch your attention? Explain why.
• Why do you think the film-maker chose this way of representing the idea?
• Was there anything that really surprised you?
• Was there anything that really made you think – or think differently – about some aspect of drug use?
• Nicola Conrad claimed smokers can’t really tell you what they like about smoking. Is this true? What are the ‘benefits’ smokers sometimes claim?

Continue to develop the harm-reduction summary started after Programme 1.

Activity 1
List the following down the side of a board: tobacco, alcohol, solvents, over-the-counter drugs, prescription drugs, illegal drugs. Discuss how each is advertised and promoted. Discuss how each is controlled legally. How successful is this?

Activity 2
Find out what the students' opinions are on cannabis and cannabis legislation (see Links). What are the changes proposed in relation to cannabis regulation? When will this come into effect? What do students think about this? Are they aware of any ongoing stories about cannabis in the press or changes being contemplated to control other drugs?

Links:

This web page contains links to other websites that are neither controlled nor maintained by Channel 4 Television. Channel 4 Television is not responsible for the content of these sites and does not necessarily endorse the material on them.

www.givingupsmoking.co.uk

Wide range of information and support to help people stop smoking and stop permanently. Has a section on young people and smoking.


www.channel4.com/health

Health magazine ‘Drugs’ provides information on drugs, getting help, well-being and laws and rights.



www.Drugeds.com

Developed through Manchester University Community and Youth Department. Information on different types of drugs, slang names, effects and the law in relation to drugs.



www.alcoholconcern.org.uk

National charity on alcohol misuse. Offers a wide range of services. Press releases and fact sheets particularly useful for educational purposes.