An overview of drugs for youth workers, including a focus on some currently popular substances
This workshop is for paid and volunteer youth workers who may encounter alcohol and drug use in the course of their work. It will help them feel more confident in discussing drug issues with young people, and in supporting them if they need help.
Workshop Learning Outcomes
By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:
- Identify a range of commonly used substances and categorise them according to effect and legal status
- Recognise and define relevant terminology
- Understand how national statistics on drug use and young people relates to their youth work
- Include appropriate responses in their youth work practice in relation to UK drug laws, including their own legal responsibilities
- Recognise some signs and symptoms of drug use
- Begin to introduce some of the strategies covered in the workshop
- Write a drug policy if they do not already have one.
About the Trainer
Sarah Brighton, BA (Hons), is a qualified trainer, with many years’ experience training adults and young people in a variety of settings. She has designed and delivered several accredited courses – including for youth workers, family workers and drug educators. As a youth worker she has worked directly with young people for more than 35 years, primarily with young people in Inner London, but also widely throughout the UK.
As CEO of Hope UK for the last 12 years, she has developed our work to stay relevant to each new generation, and has continued to respond to developing government strategies, new drug laws and changing fashions in drug use.