Know Your Mind
A hugely engaging and informative project that takes young people aged
9 to 11 on a magical tour through DJ Groovemaker’s mysterious drugs lab,
whilst learning key facts about drugs, alcohol and tobacco
I was pleased to see a well balanced informative approach rather than a one dimensional
‘Drugs are bad just say No!’ as the children have been taught that it is very rarely as clear cut and they need to be aware of all the facts before they make their own choices… Awesome!”
Paul Harrington, Year 5 Teacher, St Patricks Primary School,
London Borough of Waltham Forest
Know Your Mind takes young people on an entertaining journey, exploring the effects and risks of a wide variety of substances both legal and illegal, ranging from medicinal drugs including paracetamol and cough medicine, right through to legal drugs (caffeine, alcohol and tobacco) and illegal drugs, including cannabis and heroin.
The show bursts with comedy, song and hilarious references to youth culture. This is underpinned by a serious emphasis on understanding the roles that drugs can play in our lives, and on the personal responsibility that young people have for their own decision making with regard to their lifestyles, peer pressure and school rules. The project also addresses many associated issues, including the dangers of handling discarded syringes and needles, and the need to read instructions on medicines and take only the correct dosages.
The project provides relevant information on the detrimental effects of substance misuse in an entertaining yet appropriate and memorable way. By informing young audiences of the dangers of substance misuse whilst making them feel more confident in their knowledge and their decision-making. Know Your Mind focuses on prevention, by equipping young people with the facts they need to avoid alcohol and drug abuse later in life.
The project signposts services that young people can contact for further help and information about drug or alcohol related issues; a parent or teacher may not always seem to be the easiest option, so we ensure they know that confidential advice is available from other sources.
Empathy, patience and communication are key to creating a successful outcome, and Keepin’ It Cool provides young people with tools and techniques to enable them to de-stress and deal with difficult situations in a positive manner, resolving differences before they escalate and become more serious.
Keepin’ It Cool was originally developed in collaboration with the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham’s (LBBD) Behaviour Support Team.
and not to take them as it can destroy your life, and not to give in to peer pressure.”
Pupil, Ripple Junior School,
London Borough of Barking & Dagenham
THE NEED
A Government report in 2008 (Drug Education: An Entitlement For All) clearly demonstrates how the age at which young people begin taking drugs matters to their longer term outcomes and successes in life. The report found that most young people who have ever used an illegal drug begin experimenting between the ages of 11 and 15 and therefore education delivered before this point is likely to be more effective in preventing initiation into drugs.
Today, access to illegal drugs is easier than ever – by the age of 11, 15% of young people have been offered one or more illegal drug – and statistics show that three times more young people die from solvent abuse than illegal drugs.
In June 2007, the Information Centre for Health and Social Care reported that alcohol consumption among young people aged between 11 and 13 had reached a record high. A survey of 5-10 year olds indicated that 96% were able to recognise the effects of drunkenness and 90% were able to identify beer and/or whisky by smell alone. Given that over 90% of adults drink, it is hardly surprising that children should be aware of alcohol and drinking.
In the Every Child Matters framework two of the key outcomes are ‘Stay Safe’ and ‘Be Healthy’, and within this, two of the key ‘Be Healthy’ aims are that young people live a healthy lifestyle (including not drinking alcohol or smoking) and to choose not to take illegal drugs. Today, more than ever, young people’s awareness of the realities of drug and alcohol use is essential to achieving these goals. As such the main objective of Know Your Mind is to encourage young people not to start using legal or illegal drugs or alcohol, by exploring the myths and providing appropriate information around substance use and misuse.
THE SHOW
Know Your Mind for junior schools tells the fantastic tale of ‘Charlie’ Bucket from East London, who has the good fortune of finding one of DJ Groovemaker’s lucky golden flyers! Charlie wins a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore Groovemaker’s legendary drug laboratory, but is accompanied by some rather peculiar characters…
Poor Mikalia Divvy is a prime example of why we should resist peer pressure and follow our own minds. Unfortunately, Mikalia learns her lesson the hard way and gets caught breaking the school rules. Meanwhile, glamorous celebrity Veruka Spoilt, thinks alcohol is the answer to all her problems, but finds out it may actually be the start of many of them. Her alcoholic makeover leaves her looking less than glamorous, and she realises that the champagne lifestyle isn’t quite as care-free as she first thought!
On our tour through the mysterious drugs lab, we meet a bucket-load of familiar faces, including Ali G (Aiii!) and the delightful Anne Robinson with a special drug-related round of The Weakest Link, music comes courtesy of Beyoncé Knowles, Michael Jackson and a whole host of other pop stars.
instead of a boring just talking to.”
Pupil, Ranelagh Primary School, London Borough of Newham
KNOW YOUR MIND TEACHES YOUNG PEOPLE…
- about the different kinds of drugs, the effects they can have and their associated risks
- about alcohol, the effects it can have and the associated risks
- the dangers and risks of tobacco
- about legal everyday drugs including caffeine
- about further drug use issues including handling needles/syringes and taking medicines
- to look at their own attitudes towards drug and alcohol misuse
- to resist peer pressure with regard to decisions about alcohol and drug use
- to avoid participating in alcohol and drug use/misuse by making positive, informed choices
- to be confident in making their own decisions
showed us the consequences. I learnt that you need to be strong, it’s not just a case of deciding
you are not going to take drugs, you have to be prepared to say no when you are being
pressured in to something like that, even if it means not doing what your friends want you to.”
Pupil, age 11, St Josephs Catholic Primary School, London Borough of Havering
AT A GLANCE…
| Show length: | 35 mins |
| Free additional extras: | Teachers’ resource pack |
| Optional extras: | 1 hour workshop |
| For ages: | 9 – 11 |
| School year groups: | 5 – 6 |
| Level: | Junior |
| Curriculum links and current themes: |
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A great play about a difficult (to discuss) topic. It was to the point,
not condescending towards the children… ”
Teacher, Parsloes Primary School, London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
See the “What’s On” box (left) to find out if this project is touring soon.
To receive a past evaluation report or to find out more get in touch.
