Our North West Development Officer, Rachel, was invited back to Lancaster Girls Grammar School to deliver an assembly to the Year 13 students which focussed on cannabis awareness, as well as a health event which covered responsible drinking and alcohol awareness.
The purpose of the assembly, delivered to over 100 students, was an introduction into what cannabis is, the effect it has when someone uses it and what the law is on cannabis.
We always endeavour to make our assemblies as interactive as possible, despite only having 15 to 20 minutes delivery time. During this cannabis assembly, we encouraged the students to share what they already knew about cannabis with some ‘myths and facts’ displayed throughout the PowerPoint. The correct answers were then explained by our Development Officer to help clarify some of the questions which surround cannabis.
We also set up an activity using our drug impairment goggles and hands, which demonstrated the impact cannabis can have on co-ordination, balance and vision, as well as the dangers someone might expose themselves to if they use cannabis.
After the assembly, we set up our displays and further activities in the common room for all students to partake, including the drug impairment goggles and hands. This proved to be particularly popular throughout the morning, and although many students saw the funny side of wearing the goggles and hands they also expressed how unsettling it was to wear the googles and not be in control of their surroundings.
To promote the importance of safety around alcohol, the ‘safe night out’ activities were also very popular. These are a series of separate tasks which a person might encounter during a night out, such as withdrawing money from a cash machine, unlocking their front door or picking belongings up from the floor – all whilst wearing alcohol impairment goggles. These activities really encouraged the students to think about the risks they face on a night out, and prompted conversations and different suggestions of ways they could stay safe.
If you would like our Development Officer to visit your school or college in the West Midlands or North West areas find out more on our Education page and get in touch today!