Vickki was invited to deliver drug awareness assemblies to students in years 7 to 10 at Parkhall Academy in Birmingham. The assemblies were split into two topics; cannabis awareness and new psychoactive substances awareness.
Years 7 and 8 – cannabis awareness
The purpose of this assembly was to give students a brief overview of what cannabis is. Vickki discussed the effects and risks of using the drug, provided information about cannabis law, and signposted students to places they can get help if they are concerned someone they know may have a problem with cannabis.
A student volunteered to take part in the obstacle course activity, which encouraged the groups to consider the impact cannabis use has on co-ordination and motor skills. Vickki also showed the students the diseased lungs and jars of tar and phlegm which illustrated the health risks of smoking cannabis.
Years 9 and 10 – new psychoactive substances awareness
The second assembly focussed on the impact of new psychoactive substances, also known as ‘legal highs’. The effects of new psychoactive substances and the law surrounding them were discussed. This was particularly important as the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 had only come into force during the week of the assemblies, so Vickki was able to clear up any confusion surrounding the new rules.
The impact of drug driving was also highlighted, and to demonstrate this students were asked to volunteer to take part in the Field Impairment Test wearing the drug goggles and hands.
The assemblies were very well received and the students were engaged and interested throughout. We were later advised that conversations had continued amongst students and staff in the days following the assemblies, regarding cannabis and new psychoactive substances.