Time to Talkabout
Last year, I funded the Talkabout Trust to create a programme that supports young people make safer choices around alcohol, nicotine, vaping and drugs. Following a successful trial, I am delighted to announce the programme has been extended further to more schools across the county.
Over the past six months, the charity has hosted assemblies, and held teacher training and workshops at nine schools. There have also been 89 resource pack downloads from a range of settings including Children’s Services and alternative education providers, for those not in mainstream schools. Resource material includes short films, PowerPoint presentations, worksheets, lesson plans and teaching training material.
It is crucial that all children in Dorset are given the same messages to prevent any young person slipping through the net, so I am glad the material is being distributed far and wide.
Discussing the resource packs, Atlantic Academy in Portland said: “As a school serving one of the most disadvantaged cohorts in the UK and being at the end of a train line susceptible to county lines activity, our work on substance education is critically important. The use of the workbook has been impactful, as validated by our student survey. The research behind the workbook gives us confidence we are providing students with up to date and relevant information, which in turn takes hours off preparation time for time-poor teachers.”
It is reassuring to receive good feedback from schools, suggesting the Talkabout Trust’s messages are reaching and resonating with students.
My commitment to tackling substance misuse remains strong. I am determined not to shy-away from talking about the damage that addiction causes, and will continue to highlight the damage that ‘gateway-drugs’ in particular have.
I will not ‘keep quiet’ about the devastating mental and physical health problems these drugs can cause, because I have met with addicts and former addicts who have had to deal with the horrors of cannabis related paranoia and psychosis or manage the after-effects of taking ketamine for example, where long term use of the drug has caused permanent bladder damage, resulting in becoming incontinent – there is no ‘glamour’ in that!
That is why we must strive to improve education for our young people, to create long-term societal change among future generations and help our young people to avoid the outcomes of drug and alcohol addiction. That is why the work of Talkabout Trust and other organisations I commission, is vital.
Education and diversion are key to keeping young people away from drugs, as it is far easier to prevent someone from engaging in problematic behaviour in the first instance, rather than rehabilitate them further down the line.
There are many well-functioning community led diversion schemes in Dorset that my Office has funded, which I urge you to read about in previous newsletters on my website. I also want to take this opportunity to thank the Talkabout Trust, for the fantastic job they do in trying to help young people make more positive life decisions.
I will be speaking at the Talkabout Trust’s Conference on 18 June in Bournemouth. Experts will be talking on topics such as substance risk among neurodiverse children, child exploitation and the rising popularity of nicotine pouches. The event is open to education professionals and members of the public. You can book tickets here.
There will also be an opportunity for teachers to receive face-to-face training at the conference. To find out more, please email helena@talkabouttrust.org.
David Sidwick
Police and Crime Commissioner