The Drugs & Development Youth Forum is a year-long initiative for senior (Year 13) and junior (Year 11) students where they address the problems surrounding the production and consumption of illicit drugs and the Youth Forum sets out to challenge their perception of the global drug problem.
It aims to broaden their ability to understand and debate issues related to
drug production, trade and control policies and to elaborate proposals for change that are based on knowledge, not prejudice.
By examining the Drug Chain from production to consumption, the students have a better understanding of the interdependence of the countries of the developed and developing world.
A Youth Forum is organised for Senior students (Year 13) and one for juniors (Year 11).
Sixty/seventy delegates (10 from each participating school) meet during the year as a Youth Parliament and at the Final Sitting (in the City Hall or Stormont), draw up their own policies to tackle the drug problem in society and in schools. They then take their policies to a wider audience.
This active project provides an opportunity for the voice of young people to be heard on issues that affect themselves and the rest of society. The key skills of effective communication, problem solving and decision-making are a vital aspect of this initiative.
Pupils' QUOTES:
'The Parliament's biggest benefit was definitely the boost to
my confidence. Team working is a big part of the Parliament
and it gives you vital confidence.'
'A good project - brings schools together working as a
community to solve the problems we all share.'
Teachers: QUOTES:
'Not only did the pupils totally enjoy the meetings, but I felt
it brought them out of themselves. They became more confident
and prepared to express their views. ' St Genevieve's High School.
'Our students really need this sort of experience to make them
think and reflect on the growing problem of drugs in our
society. ' La Salle Boys' School
:: If you are interested in the latest news on drugs related issues click here
:: For research purposes you can also use a set of website links related to drugs and alcohol
:: For more detailed information on this year's Senior Drugs Forum, its methodology, participating schools and knowledge on drugs click here .
:: For more knowledge and facts on drugs try this link
:: If you are preparing yourself for the First Sitting see the following documents
:: For the Second Sitting - related material click here
:: Click on this link before the Third Sitting of the Senior Drugs Forum
:: Find out how the Youth Forum Delegates passed on their knowledge and skills to their peers after the last Sitting
:: If you are a member of the Student Committee you will be intersted in the following links related to four Briefing Days
:: To check latest messages relating to the Senior Drugs Forum click on the discussion corner
