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Aims:

To raise awareness of:

• the short and long-term risks of illicit drug use
• the short and long-term risks of alcohol misuse
• the risks of using alcohol with illicit drugs and combining illicit drugs
• NHS and other costs to society of dealing with alcohol and drug problems.

Synopsis:

A series of three films following the everyday lives of people coping with the effects of alcohol and illicit drugs, from an up close and personal perspective. The series provides a realistic insight into the nature of drugs and their use, the associated risks, and the impact on individuals, families and communities dealing with the issues.

Programme 2: Emergency Action

This programme follows hospital staff as they deal with a variety of alcohol and drug-related emergencies.

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 – 01.09
Illicit drugs and alcohol in the UK. Use; trends; availability; costs.

01.10 – 07.31
A & E ward. Grant overdosed on heroin. Given antidote to help breathing. John 16, distressed. Heavy cannabis user. Tried ecstasy week before. Now experiencing paranoia. Ben, heroin addict, has badly swollen arm. Heroin antidote causes cold turkey. John discharged.

07.32 – 11.29
Ben has life-threatening infection. He needs to be stabilised with methadone. GP’s notes essential to check dosage. Ben just wants to go, get sorted, and return. Doctor worries he won’t.

11.30 – 16.26
Grant discharges himself in the morning. Costs of illicit drug use, alcohol misuse, and violence to NHS and society. Junior 19, critical condition, substance unknown. Ben returns. Regrets lifestyle. Junior’s condition caused by alcohol. Parents don't approve of alcohol.

16.27 – 24.00
Michael, recovering alcoholic, suffers DTs through bingeing. Ben’s GP confirms methadone dose. Two girls take unknown substance, ecstasy? One is ill. Later discharges herself. Doctor worries she might have a fit. Michael calmed, discharges himself. Ben leaves. Doctor stresses importance of communication.

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 and alcohol issues in school and the community.

England & Wales

PSHE and Citizenship: Key Stage 4 – Developing a Healthier Safer Lifestyle
National Healthy Schools Standard for Citizenship: Key Stage 4

Northern Ireland

Teachers should be aware of relevant guidelines for 14–18 year olds emerging from the Civic, Social and Political Education programme of study in the revised NI curriculum. Particularly relevant:

Learning for Life and Work Area
Local and Global Citizenship Strand
Personal Development Strand (including both PSHE and home economics)

Scotland

Scottish Executive: Drugs in Schools, and Guidance on Health Education, PSD, Citizenship, Drug Education - middle to upper secondary stages
Local Alcohol and Drug Action Team guidelines

Background Information:

Some figures from the film

• 1,500 people in the UK estimated to die from illegal drug use every year.
• 5,500 people in the UK estimated to die from alcohol abuse.
• Royal Liverpool Hospital A & E Department: 100 staff treat about 7,000 patients a month. After midnight 75% of admissions are under the influence of alcohol. Every week an estimated 500 people are admitted with alcohol and drug problems or related injuries. Cost of bed per night is £200, ambulance ride £100. Care and treatment is a further cost.
• An estimated 36.5 billion pounds are spent on alcohol in the UK every year. The NHS spends 3 billion pounds annually on treatment of alcohol related conditions.

Young people and alcohol – the effects
Young people’s body systems are less tolerant of alcohol and they are inexperienced at handling the effects. This can result in intoxication, accidents, fights, crime, risks from other drugs, and the risk of unwanted pregnancy, HIV and sexually transmitted diseases. Media reports of the benefits of moderate drinking can overshadow the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption, especially when the use of alcohol itself affects judgement.

Young people and alcohol – the influences
Young people are surrounded by positive images of drinking. Friends, local cultural factors, and the groups young people are attracted to are important influences on their drinking behaviour. There is evidence to show young people whose parents misuse alcohol, or totally prohibit it, may become problem drinkers.

Alcohol dependence among Black and Asian people in UK
Alcohol dependence is less widespread among men and women from these groups. Not only are they less likely to drink alcohol, they are also likely to drink smaller quantities and drink less often. There are no religious or ethnic groups unaffected by alcohol problems, even though specific religions may forbid its use. Where alcohol use is frowned upon, this can result in problem drinking being hidden.

Reasons for drinking are similar to other groups. Issues around inequalities, leading to low self-esteem and mental distress, increase the likelihood of alcohol misuse. Agencies and others need to be aware of this. Use in the UK is likely to increase within second and third generations as they experiment with alcohol along with their peers.

Alcohol, drugs and violence
Alcohol and to a lesser extent illicit drugs are present in the bloodstream of both offender and victim in many cases of violence. The links between these psychoactive substances and violent behaviour are complex and thought to depend on the social and economic context of people’s lives, the places where people purchase substances, the nature of the substances themselves, how and where they are used, and the physiological and psychological make-up of individuals.

Laboratory evidence supports a causal role for alcohol in relation to violence. It is thought amphetamines and cocaine could contribute to violent behaviour, but that this is extremely complex being moderated by a host of factors in individuals and the environment. However, illicit drugs may lead to violence through fights over drug distribution systems, and violence may be used to obtain drugs or the money to buy them.

Activities:

Before viewing
Depending on age, stage and level of ability, the following are ways of optimising the use of the film. See programme outline for specific areas of focus and timing

Six people admitted to A & E with suspected drugs or alcohol-related problems. On duty: Drs Rob Hunter (senior), Dave Maklin, Kate Clerk.
1. Divide the class into small groups and ask each group to focus particularly on one of the following: (alternatively give each group one character)

a) Grant and Ben
b) John and the two girls
c) Junior and Michael

After viewing
1. Build up a flow chart showing how each person is treated using the following:

• Why was each admitted?
• What was causing the problem each had?
• How serious was it?
• Was there any problem about treating the person?
• What decisions did the doctor make? What were the risks?
• What decisions did the patient make? What were the risks?

2. Take each patient in turn and discuss:

• the similarities and differences for people using the same substance
• whether anything surprised you about patient or doctor behaviour
• what will happen if the patient continues with use/drug lifestyle
• where could they get help to quit their use/addiction
• where they could get help to reduce harm.

Key questions
1. Was there anything the film made them think about that they hadn't thought about before?

2. Has it made them look at heroin, cannabis, ecstasy or alcohol in a new light?

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.communitycare.co.uk/biggerpicture

Community Care’s website gives the bigger picture on alcohol services. Tracks development of the new strategy document for England and links to other websites for more information.

www.wrecked.co.uk

Developed by Health Promotion England. Aims to educate young people aged 17–25. Information on individual drugs, origins, effects, the law, risks and emergency situations. Section on alcohol.

http://www.channel4.com/health

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

www.talktofrank.com

Aimed at young people who can consult the A–Z of drugs, check out worries, find sources of help and talk to Frank.

Dealing with Drugs: Programme 1: Damage Limitation
Credits:

Narrator: EMMA B
Music: PAUL FARRER
Graphics: PAUL PEPPIATE
Online Editor: CHRIS TIMSON
Dubbing Mixer: MARK WILLETT
Production Co-ordinator: CAROLINE KEY
Production Executive: JENNY SCOTT
Assistant Producer: AMY GAIRDNER
Film Editor: STEPHEN SHONE
Executive Producer: ALI RASHID
Filmed and produced by HUGO SMITH

Real Life Media Productions for Channel 4