Lesson Overview
| Duration | 75 minutes |
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| Key Stage | College (Post-16) |
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| Subject Links | PSHE, Health & Social Care, Public Services, Criminology |
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| Resources Needed | Pupil handouts, Quiz, Presentation slides |
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Learning Objectives
- Understand the neurological basis of addiction and why young people are disproportionately affected
- Critically evaluate harm reduction versus abstinence-based approaches to drug education
- Analyse current UK drug policy in the context of international evidence
- Understand professional responsibilities around substance use in vulnerable populations
- Apply safeguarding frameworks to substance use scenarios involving young people
Key Information
- Drug-related deaths in England and Wales reached a record high in 2024
- An estimated 3.1 million people in England and Wales used an illicit drug in the past year
- Young people aged 16-24 have the highest rates of drug use of any age group
- The economic cost of drug-related crime, healthcare, and lost productivity is estimated at £20bn annually
- Portugal's decriminalisation model reduced drug-related deaths by over 80% over 20 years
Legal Framework
- Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 — classification, possession, supply, and production offences
- Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 — blanket ban on novel psychoactive substances
- Health and Social Care Act 2012 — duty to promote physical and mental health
- Children Act 1989/2004 — parental drug use as a child protection concern
- Serious Violence Duty — substance use as a driver of county lines and knife crime
- Equality Act 2010 — addiction as a disability in employment contexts (complex legal landscape)
Lesson Plan
10 mins The Neuroscience of Addiction
Dopamine pathways, reward circuitry, and why the adolescent brain is particularly vulnerable. Why addiction is a brain condition, not a moral failing.
12 mins Harm Reduction vs Abstinence
Present both models with evidence. The Portuguese model, needle exchanges, naloxone distribution, drug checking services. What does the evidence say about effectiveness?
12 mins UK Drug Policy: A Critical Analysis
Where does current UK policy sit on the spectrum? What are the political, social, and public health arguments? What has changed and what hasn't?
10 mins Professional Safeguarding Responsibilities
When does substance use become a safeguarding concern? How do you approach conversations with young people about substance use without shutting them down?
10 mins Case Studies
Apply safeguarding frameworks to three complex scenarios involving young people and substance use. What are the competing priorities? What would you do?
6 mins Q&A and Reflection
Open discussion. What surprised you? What has changed how you think about this?
⚠️ Safeguarding Considerations
- Some participants may have personal or family experience of addiction — deliver with sensitivity
- College-age students may be using substances — this session is educational, not punitive
- If a participant discloses current problematic use that poses a risk, refer to the DSL and/or CAMHS
- Parental substance use is a significant child protection factor — be aware of participants with caring responsibilities
If a pupil makes a disclosure during this session, follow your school's safeguarding procedures and refer to your DSL immediately.
Key Messages
- Addiction is a neurological condition, not a moral failure — this changes how we should respond to it
- Harm reduction saves lives in ways that abstinence-only approaches do not
- UK drug policy is contested — the evidence base and political reality are often in tension
- Every professional working with young people has a responsibility to be able to hold these conversations
- Non-judgmental, accurate information is more effective than fear-based approaches
Support Resources
| Organisation | Contact | Purpose |
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| Childline | 0800 1111 | 24/7 support for young people |
| Crimestoppers | 0800 555 111 | 100% anonymous reporting |
| CEOP | ceop.police.uk | Report online exploitation |
| NSPCC | 0808 800 5000 | Child protection advice |
| Emergency | 999 | Immediate danger |