The Government has spent millions of pounds on educating young people about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, from the 'Just say No' campaign of 1986, through to the present campaign which encourages young people to ask 'FRANK' any questions they might have about drugs and alcohol. But how well do these campaigns work? Are the millions being well spent or is it just another case of money going down the drain?
A team of Children's Express reporters, from the Tyneside Deaf Youth Project, took to the streets and youth clubs of Newcastle, Gateshead and Middlesbrough to find out what information young deaf and hearing people get about drugs and alcohol and how good this information is.
Stephanie, 15, from Benton in Newcastle says she knows a lot: "There is quite a bit of information in PSE (Personal and Social Education) lessons. Also, there are a couple of places in town where you can go and talk to people about that stuff."
Being in the Know
However this easy access to information is not true for all young people. Paige, 13, says: "We need to know more about drugs and alcohol." And 15 year-old Carl says: "The only information I got was from the Deaf School-Leavers course I attended."
So, young people have different experiences when it comes to accessing information about drugs and alcohol but for those who can get it easily the questions is - how good is the information? Are young people being provided with accurate information in easy-to-understand formats, or are they being bombarded with so much information that it becomes difficult to separate fact from fiction?
Are Drugs and Alcohol Dangerous?
Many of the young people we interviewed felt that cannabis should be legalised but some were confused as to its possible dangers. "Dope is good, I think, for people with mental health problems - it's useful."
But this wasn't the case for everyone. Lots of young people were aware of the dangers of drugs but felt that alcohol abuse was less dangerous. Sarah, 13, from Newcastle says: "Alcohol is okay. If you drink too much you risk not being able to walk properly but drugs are definitely dangerous and you risk death by taking them. Drugs are definitely more risky but alcohol problems are easier to make better."
Emma, 16, echoes this: "Alcohol has a different effect - you can die from drugs but you can't from alcohol. People can go to the hospital and have their stomachs pumped after drinking alcohol, but not with drugs."
Other young people were aware of the dangers of alcohol however. "Alcohol can be really bad for you," said Ashleigh from Tynemouth. "If I could change the legal age of drinking I would change it to 21."
Is the Message Getting Through?
Some young people came up with suggestions about the information they want and when they want it. Like 15 year-old Stephanie who says it would be useful to have the information at a young age before you were tempted to try alcohol or drugs. While Christie felt that shock tactics would work best. "The images of people with diseased lungs are good - I think they stop people smoking". And Ashleigh echoes this. "They should show you how people turn out after drugs - that would make a difference to young people."
About the team
This story was produced by Toni Johnson, James Boyle, Michelle Close, Charlotte Venus and Donna Hynes - all 15-year-olds, from Children's Express and Tyneside Deaf Youth Project. It was published by Reach for the Sky website.
