Turning children on to the danger of drugs

Turning children on to the danger of drugs

Staying safe is a key message for primary school children moving up to secondary school in the autumn.

Sarah Brighton, chief executive officer of CRE 25 exhibitor Hope UK, said: ‘Changing schools gives children a lot to learn, but may also introduce problems of a more serious nature.’

Four drug educators, working with the drug prevention charity Hope UK, have been teaching vital skills and knowledge to hundreds of children as part of an annual Safety Zones programme being run in Nottinghamshire this summer. The East Midlands Hope UK team have shared information about the risks of vaping, alcohol and other substances children are likely to come across. They have also showed them how to resist peer pressure.

‘Led by Ian Michell, our East Midlands project worker, the team of volunteers are highly skilled when it comes to delivering drug education,’ said Sarah. ‘They have a wealth of experience to offer.’

Former bed and breakfast landlady, Michelle Artherton, trained as a drug educator with Hope UK 15 years ago, when she realised it was a perfect complement to her voluntary activities helping to deliver school assemblies and running a Girls’ Brigade company in her local church. Many years of experience supporting children and families in schools and children’s centres led Maureen Miller to get involved with the team five years ago. Maureen trained as a drug educator because she wanted ‘to help young people understand the fears and risks they might encounter and how to keep themselves feeling safe and confident.’

The newest member of the team, Jacqueline Jamieson says she was ‘instantly hooked’ when she went along to observe a Hope UK drug awareness workshop at a primary school being led by Michelle.

‘Feedback from schools has been excellent,’ says team leader Ian. ‘The children have been very engaged and have had fun as well as learning a lot.’

Hope UK will be at CRE 25 to discuss local problems faced by church leaders or Christians working in difficult areas. Sarah Brighton will speak on Vaping and Young People (1.30pm, Wed 15 Oct) and Managing Drug Incidents in Youth Work (2pm, Thu 16 Oct).

• Hope UK are on stand C10 at CRE 25

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