Spot and Support: Substance Misuse & Addiction

"Are you taking drugs?" will shut a conversation down. "You've not been at football on Thursdays lately" might open one. Substance misuse and addiction in young people rarely show up on their own. Usually you'll see a pupil who's more secretive, more anxious or missing more school, and the reason comes out later.

You'll learn the difference between misuse and addiction, and between chemical addictions and behavioural ones such as gambling and gaming. You'll see which pupils are more at risk, from those whose parents use to young people drawn into gangs. Then there are seven practical things a school can do, from early prevention work to an up-to-date drugs policy and making sure every pupil knows about services like FRANK.

You'll also have tips for parents who come to you worried, starting with staying calm and seeing their GP.