DRUGS IN EDUCATION: “What’s the harm?”

A SEMINAR DAY FOR TEACHERS, PARENTS AND STUDENTS (AGED 16+)

Thursday, 30th May 2019

Click here to register.

• The proportion of UK school children (11-15s) who have used drugs increased from 10% in 2014 to 15% in 2016
• The likelihood of ever having taken drugs increased with age from 11% of 11 year olds to 37% of 15 year olds

Whether we like it or not, most of our children are going to have encountered drugs or someone who has used drugs before their 15th birthday. Is this something we should be talking about? What role does education have in conversations with our young people about drugs?

‘HARM REDUCTION’ EDUCATION
“The goal is to provide accurate and credible information that will promote responsible behaviour. This approach acknowledges the appeal of drug use from the young person’s perspective as well as its potential medical, social and legal consequences. It is rooted in an appreciation of adolescent psychosocial development, in which curiosity, a willingness to experiment and the definition of personal boundaries come into play.” (Erickson, 1997)

LEAP EDUCATION is an organisation who promote ‘harm reduction’ drugs education in schools. Together with QUEEN MARY UNIVERSITY OF LONDON, we are hosting a seminar day bringing together teachers, students and parents to share thinking and discuss the benefits and potential pitfalls of formalising drugs education in schools, particularly at secondary level where there is every likelihood that students will encounter drugs in a real life setting.

The day will include workshops inviting attendees to share thoughts, understanding and ideas on drugs education as it exists today and what the future will look like.

Speakers:

• CHRIS SEYMOUR – Programme Leader at LEAP Education
• SUZANNE SHARKEY – Vice-Chair of the Law Enforcement Action Partnership UK and a former undercover drugs operative
• ANNE-MARIE COCKBURN – Anyone’s Child: Families for Safer Drug Control
• NIGEL BRUNSDON – photographer and HIT community manager; & EMILY BRUNSDON – student and harm reduction advocate
• DR. JUDITH YATES – Board member for International Doctors for Healthier Drug Policies and retired general practitioner

The drugs conversation is happening now. It is up to us to decide how we shape it. If you are a teacher, a parent or student aged 16 or over, please join us on 30th May 2019 at The Old Library, Garrod Building, Queen Mary University of London, Whitechapel E1 2AD.

As places for this seminar day are limited, participation is by registration only.

Click here to register.