Key Stages Three and Four
In addition to the above, work can be completed with this age group on attitudes and values around substance use. Cannabis is the most commonly used substance between ages 11-15, and it is important that young people are provided with accurate information on risks, as well as a focus on informed decision making.
This age group can be engaged more in small group discussions, looking at substance use in the media, more detailed information on physical and psychological risks of substances. The focus is not solely on prevention, but also on supporting attitudes/beliefs for young people to change existing substance use behaviour.
Drugs education at this level is often combined with awareness around emotional health and wellbeing; child sexual exploitation; sexual health and healthy relationships. Young people requiring support with drugs or alcohol should be identified through the use of a screening tool such as ‘DUST’, and referred to the local young people’s substance misuse service.
Young people who are identified as needing additional support can be offered specialist substance misuse interventions delivered by a young people’s drug and alcohol worker.
Resources
The programme’s resources, which teach pupils about the risks of alcohol, are available to download for free via the Drinkaware for Education website.
Specially designed to support upper key stage 2 and key stage 3 teachers when introducing and developing alcohol awareness with their pupils, the resources from Drinkaware for Education include lesson plans, videos, presentations, homework assignments and teachers’ guides.
Students are encouraged to work in teams, as well as take part in whole class activities which develop essential skills such as risk-awareness, managing peer pressure and communication, through lessons covering:
- The law on alcohol
- Health and social harms associated with drinking alcohol underage
- The effect alcohol can have on emotional health and wellbeing
- The relationship between peer pressure and underage drinking
Visit the Drinkaware for Education website to register for these free resources