WASTED

PROGRAMME 3: MUM AND DAD

ACTIVITIES

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Guidance

Please see general Guidance and Introductory / Closing activities before proceeding with programme-related activities.

Key points for discussion after viewing

• What do you think are the range of feelings experienced by children of drug users?
• What about Pat, Kim's sister and other family members who care for these children? Do you think they have sufficient support?
• Many children of drug users still live with their parents. What do you think about this and what do you think are the reasons for it?
• What might be the long-term impact on the children, when they become adults or even parents themselves?
• How do you think Serena feels by the end of the programme? And Kim?
• Is it right that Daniel and Kyle might be returned to their mother? Why or why not?

Suggested activities

Activity 1

Having discussed the impacts on the different people in the programme, students could go on to consider the wider consequences for society as a whole. Ask them to think about all the groups who are affected by drug misuse, from individuals, their children, friends and families, through communities to public services (police, NHS, schools) and policy makers. They can now draw on all of their learning from the series to produce an individual poster depicting one of the groups affected.

Activity 2

It might also be interesting to discover if this is a modern problem. Students could research the history of drug and alcohol use in the UK – how have things changed or stayed the same? Visit www.tdpf.org.uk/Policy_Timeline.htm for a timeline of drug laws from 1800 to the present day.

Activity 3

Young people should be aware of sources of support available to them. Use the internet to investigate local and national services, helplines and agencies that are there to support young people with problems relating to alcohol, drug use, living with drug-using parents, violence, sexual health and assault.

Another way to do this is to collect a wide range of cards or leaflets advertising different services. Ask young people to pick one up and share with the class what the service offers and how it can be accessed. The cards and leaflets could then be added to a student health notice board or other display. It might be possible to arrange a visit to a local charity or agency.