GHS PASTORAL CPD
ADDICTION
Our ASPIRE curriculum explores addiction, teaching the facts, laws, risks and consequences associated with addictive substances / habits, specifically vaping, alcohol and other drug use. The aim is for pupils to understand risk taking and why this is more prominent through adolescence and to learn how to manage influences and pressure to make informed choices and keep themselves healthy and safe.
The teenage brain, risk, peer pressure and healthy choices begins in Years 7 and 8. Vaping is covered in Year 9. Risks associated with alcohol and drugs are covered in Year 10 as part of their programme of work 'learning to live and think well' and are then followed up in Year 11 (Freedom and Festivals) and Sixth Form. This topic is often supported by outside speakers.
The school's management of a tobacco, drug or alcohol related incident can be found in appendix 1 of the Behaviour and Discipline Policy:
Vaping - this is a 20 minute video, which gives further explanation to what vaping is, how it has come to be and the known dangers so far, particularly for teens.
Drugs and Harm Reduction Explained
Harm reduction is seen as an approach to reducing risky behaviours in adolescents. Originally, it was a public health strategy that was developed for adults with substance abuse problems for whom abstinence was not feasible. Harm reduction can be described as a strategy directed toward individuals or groups that aims to reduce the harms associated with certain behaviours. When applied to substance abuse, harm reduction accepts that a continuing level of drug use (both licit and illicit) in society is inevitable and defines objectives as reducing adverse consequences. To understand more, click on link below:
Gambling and Risk