A CAMPAIGN to teach students about the consequences of drug and substance abuse has been launched at Avon Valley School and Performing Arts College.
Award-winning drugs awareness speaker Paul Hannaford shared his insight into drug addiction, knife crime and gangs in a talk to Year 10 students, and worked with students in small group sessions.
The school also welcomed sniffer dogs Freddie and Cooper and their handler Charlotte from security service provider ICTS.
Students were shown how the highly-trained canines are used to detect drugs.
A school spokesperson said the ‘Not in Our School’ campaign was launched to address drug and substance abuse in the face of local and national campaigns against ‘County Lines’ drug gangs.
Head teacher Alison Davies added: “Unfortunately there have been a number of high profile drug and substance incidents reported in the media recently, with a number of these occurring in Rugby.
“As a school we have a duty to educate our students about these issues and alert them to the possible life changing consequences. Paul Hannaford has visited us on a number of occasions and our students have always spoken highly of the hard hitting talks he has given.
“I am really pleased with the work our Year 10 students have produced as part of the ‘Not in Our School’ campaign, and I look forward to seeing the campaign move forwards.
“We want all of our students to live safe and successful lives and we fully recognise our responsibility and the part we can play in this.”
