Two young men are the focus of this programme – Ryan, a young father, aged 18, and Aaron, aged 17, who has spent time in prison because of alcohol-related crime. We also meet Brian, a father of three, who works as a paramedic with the London Ambulance Service. Brian's specific role is to respond to calls about young people incapacitated through misuse of alcohol.
Alcohol is the only legal drug dealt with in this series, but this programme shows that the negative impacts are no less severe. In fact, it might be argued that the wider social problems of alcohol, including related violence, are perhaps even more widespread than those brought about by illegal drug misuse.
Half of all violent crime is alcohol related, and alcohol misuse in the UK costs the NHS £2.7 billion per year.
Information from Channel 4 about what help there is available for people struggling with drug addiction, and their friends and family.
Notes to support Channel 4 Learning programmes.
Full listings for the week ahead, plus downloadable wallcharts for this term.
Watch again for free on your PC with Channel 4's on demand service 4oD.
