In this video for use in class three young people talk candidly about the damaging effect drugs and alcohol had on their lives and how they were helped to overcome their addictions and turn their lives around. Of the minority of under 16s who have experimented with drugs recreationally (22% according to a 2008 survey), most tend to suffer no lasting effects. But there are those who find that their drug use causes long-term problems, both for themselves, their friends and their families. So what drives someone to take drugs and to possibly put their health, their education and their future at risk, and what can be done to help them? We draw on the experiences of three young people who have been at the sharp end of drug taking to find some answers. They talk candidly about the detrimental effect drugs and alcohol had on their lives and how they managed to overcome their addictions with the help of the workers at the specialist substance misuse service Ru-ok? in Brighton.

Video Series: KS3/4 PSHE
Release Date 2009