Know the Score: Substance Use Resource Materials for Senior Cycle SPHE Published by the Health Service Executive November 2019 www.hse.ie/knowthescore Contents CONTENTS Introduction 04 Acknowledgements 05 Top Key Messages 06 Context 08 Statistic Infographics 16 Lesson 1 What Do I Know? 26 Lesson 2 How Do I Feel? 34 Lesson 3 Standing Tall 42 Lesson 4 Positive Choices 50 Lesson 5 Top to Toe – Your Body and Alcohol 58 Lesson 6 Choices and Consequences 66 Lesson 7 Knowing Your Limits 74 Lesson 8 How am I Influenced? 84 Lesson 9 Safety First 90 Lesson 10 Drugs – Know the Score 98 Lesson 11 Cannabis 110 Lesson 12 Drugs – Stories 120 Lesson 13 Heads Up – Substance Use and Mental Health 128 Lesson 14 The Bigger Picture 136 Appendix One Glossary of Terms 143 Appendix Two Regional & Local Drug & Alcohol Task Forces List 148 Appendix Three National Drug strategy 150 Appendix Four Drink Driving Penalties 151 Appendix Five Drug Testing & Penalties 152 Acronyms 153 Bibliography 154 Websites 155 Videos Suggested 156 Video References 157 KNOW THE SCORE: SUBSTANCE USE RESOURCE MATERIALS FOR SENIOR CYCLE SPHE 3 Introduction INTRODUCTION One of the main objectives of the Healthy This resource and accompanying three short Ireland Framework is to encourage cross- videos was a collaboration between the departmental work in relation to health and HSE Alcohol Programme and HSE Addiction wellbeing. The Wellbeing Policy and Framework Services, with oversight by a Steering Group for Practice published by the Department with membership from the Professional of Education and Skills (2018) provides a Development Service for Teachers together framework for all schools to improve health and with representatives from the Drug and Alcohol wellbeing of their school communities through Task Forces. Schools are advised to use this the school self-evaluation process. evidence-based resource to teach the substance This resource has been designed to support use module SPHE at senior cycle. Teaching teachers to teach the substance use module of resources which have been developed by or the Curriculum Framework for SPHE in Senior funded by the alcohol industry are inappropriate Cycle and to enable Senior Cycle students to for use in schools. make conscious and informed decisions about Sincere thanks to the project steering group alcohol and drugs. and all of those involved in developing this Although the total amount of alcohol consumed resource. Special thanks and acknowledgement by young people has declined in the last twenty is due to the teachers and students who piloted years, it is still a significant public health concern. the resource and provided valuable suggestions 74% of 15-16 year olds have tried alcohol, and and insights. See next page for those involved. 28% have engaged in binge drinking. Cannabis use is an increasing cause of concern, with recent studies showing an increase in cannabis use from 7% to 10% over 4 years. There are particular risks associated with alcohol and drug use among young people. It impacts on social and emotional development, cognitive development and mental health, with high correlations between substance use and mental health difficulties, including self harm and suicide, hence the importance of links to prevention actions as mentioned in the Connecting for Life Strategy. Alcohol & Drug use is also linked to reduced inhibitions and increased risk-taking, including regretted and /or unprotected sex. The challenge for parents and teachers is to ascertain adolescents’ concerns, their perceptions of vulnerability, their ability to identify risk, and their ability to judge risk. 4 KNOW THE SCORE: SUBSTANCE USE RESOURCE MATERIALS FOR SENIOR CYCLE SPHE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS NATIONAL STEERING GROUP MEMBERS SPHE SENIOR CYCLE RESOURCE Chair: Marion Rackard, Project Manager, HSE Alcohol Programme Orla McGowan, HSE Programme Manager for Education Paul Breslin, Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) Brid Kennedy, Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) Anna O’Neill, HSE Education Officer Addiction Services, CHO Area 3 Nina Smyth, HSE Education Officer, HSE Addiction Services, CHO Area 3 Dr. Sancha Power, HSE Education Officer, HSE Addiction Services, CHO Area 3 Richie Stafford, Health Promotion & Training Coordinator, North Dublin Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force Tara Deacy, Prevention and Intervention Officer, Clondalkin Drug and Alcohol Task Force ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Frances Shearer, Author Eamon Keogh, Health and Well Being Communications Dr. Bobby Smyth, HSE Adolescent Psychiatrist, YODA Brian Wall, Guidance Counsellor, St.Mary’s School, Rathmines, Dublin 6 Dr. Eamon Keenan, HSE Clinical Director Addiction Services Ian Sorensen, Video designer HSE Alcohol Programme Implementation Group The Steering Group would like to express its thanks to the following schools which piloted the lessons & videos for Know The Score: St Michael’s College, Ailesbury Road, Dublin 4 Colaiste Mhuire CBS, College St., Mullingar, Co. Westmeath Colaiste Bride, 22 New Road, Clondalkin, Co. Dublin St Dominic’s College, Kylemore Road, Chapelizod, Ballyfermot, Co. Dublin St Raphaela’s School, St Raphaela’s Road, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin St Aidan’s Comprehensive School, Cootehill, Co. Cavan Carolan College, Nobber, Co. Meath Colaiste Chraob Abhann, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow Rosary College, Armagh Road, Crumlin, Kimmage, Dublin 12 Malahide Community School who piloted the videos. KNOW THE SCORE: SUBSTANCE USE RESOURCE MATERIALS FOR SENIOR CYCLE SPHE 5 Top Key Massages TOP KEY MESSAGES FOR STUDENTS, PARENTS AND TEACHERS STUDENTS: PARENTS: • Get the facts, know the risks, understand • Know The Score aims to support parents why some people use alcohol and drugs. and communities in preventing alcohol Get the support you need to make decisions and drug problems among young people. that are right for you. Research shows that parents are possibly • Is difficult to make decisions if you don’t the biggest single influence on their own have good information! Know the Score will children, even though they may not always provide you with factual information that feel it! lets you make informed decisions regarding • Parents are encouraged to have alcohol and other drugs. It’s important that conversations early and often with their you do what is right for you. Respect your children, talk and learn together, discuss friends’ decisions and they should respect boundaries and safety. If you do not teach yours. them about alcohol and drugs, someone else • We never know exactly how taking a drug will. Students, parents/home, schools and will affect us. Often, we end up doing things community are partners in the prevention that we would never do when sober. They process. can also cause changes in how parts of your • Try to delay the age of onset of drinking for brain and body work, which is often quite as long as possible -it has a strong protective dangerous. This can vary a great deal from effect on your child’s future risk of alcohol person to person also. or drug problems. Do your best to ensure • Building empathy and awareness of the your child stays connected to pro-social potential for damage and harm caused to influences, such as family, community and self and others by individual alcohol and hobbies, and also that they have a positive other drug use is an important consideration school experience. throughout this resource. • How Parents talk about alcohol and how • Despite what you might hear in the news or they themselves consume alcohol has an on social media, most young people do not effect on the attitudes and behaviours of use drugs. More and more young people young people.Try to show by example that are now choosing not to drink alcohol due drinking to excess is not encouraged, and to its negative effects on their health and that not all social occasions need to involve behaviour. For those who have decided to alcohol. consume alcohol or drugs, this resource • HSE is the main resource for expert health explores some ways that might help you to advice on alcohol and drugs. reduce immediate risks. • Delay the decision to use alcohol or other drugs for as long as possible, due to the risks to your safety, health and future. 6 KNOW THE SCORE: SUBSTANCE USE RESOURCE MATERIALS FOR SENIOR CYCLE SPHE Top Key Massages TEACHERS: • Know the Score aims to support teachers to facilitate useful and targeted learning experiences with senior cycle students. It provides the necessary support information and pointers to give teachers the confidence to explore this arguably difficult subject. • Teachers do not need to be addiction experts to teach these lessons. It is ok not to know everything. Learn from what students know “I haven’t heard that name before, can you tell me about it and we will research it together?’’ • Schools and teachers have a powerful role in prevention. Aside from teaching about alcohol and drugs,simply nurturing a supportive relationship with students, and trying to ensure they have a positive school experience has a proven strong protective effect. • The resource is aimed at a general senior cycle audience. The methods and approaches are research based, and focus is on what students want and need to learn. More targeted programmes may be needed for specific types of high needs. Regional and Local Drug & Alcohol Task Forces may be able to assist schools to build a more targeted approach. • The resource addresses primary prevention and also provides opportunities to explore reduction of risk behaviours among those who already consume alcohol