The DVD has been designed so that it can be used flexibly, to fit in with any group or setting. Any number of 'routes' can be taken through the DVD, and as many, or as few, of the assets can be used in a session, as required.

The assets can be used in 'sets' - for example, some assets could be used in order to facilitate discussion on health issues, whereas others could pose questions about pressure and influences on young people.

During the community consultation sessions which were held prior to the launch of the resource, as well as sessions with volunteers from Fast Forward, we have developed a number of questions to accompany each asset. These have been designed to stimulate discussion amongst a group and get them talking about issues surrounding substace misuse.

Graveyard
(Two young men talking about methadone and how they got into drugs)

  • Are you aware if the effects of methadone?
  • Do you think more help should be given to recovering drug users?
  • If you became addicted to a drug, how would you expect to be treated by health or social workers?
  • Do you think the reasons they gave for getting into drugs were valid, or are they just making excuses for themselves?
  • Do you feel these experiences are an extreme case or do you think this could happen to anyone?

Chocolate - why is it popular?
(The general public talk about their love or dislike of chocolate, and what it means to them)
  • Why do people eat chocolate?
  • Why do people eat chocolate even though they know it's bad for them?
  • What other things do people do that is enjoyable but may also be harmful?

Chocolate - glamorous images
(Chocolate advertising slogans, followed by shots of chocolate addict sitting in a dirty room eating chocolate.)

  • Is chocolate always a good thing?
  • Why would people get addicted to chocolate?
  • At what point do you know you're addicted?
  • Are all addictions a bad thing? Why?
  • How would being an addict effect your daily life?

Crossroads
(Young man talking about decisions, and how drugs influence the decisions you make. The accompanying visuals are of roadsigns)

  • What decisions do you have to make every day?
  • How do you think taking drugs could cloud your judgement, and what could be the eventual outcome?

15 year old (1) AND 15 year old (2)
(Parental lecture) (Young person's thoughts)

  • Which side of the argument do you agree with/identify with?
  • If you aren't listening to your parent(s), who are you listening to?
  • If you had a problem who would you feel you could go to? Would it be your parent(s)?
  • Who do you trust to influence your thinking/opinions?
  • What could the parent do in this situation to engage with the young person? Is it possible to bridge this gap?

Celebrity Culture
(collage of photos of celebrities who are glamorous icons, yet have a history of drugs offences. With voiceover.)

  • Which celebrities do you look up to/want to be like?
  • Do you think you are ever shown the true story behind their lives?
  • Do you trust what celebrities say? Do you believe in the things they stand for?
  • How does a celebrity's use of drugs effect your view of them? (eg Kate Moss, Pete Doherty)
  • Do you think you are influenced by celebrities/the media? Or are there other influences that have more effect on you?

Objects
(Various objects introduced to bored group of young people. What happens next?)

  • What happens next?
  • Why is this group likely to do what you have suggested?
  • What are the range of influences on any one of the individuals in this situation?

Electricity

[Please note these film clips involve young people placing wires into plug sockets. It is advised that the dangers of such activities are stressed to the group.]


(Young man uses electricity to get a 'jolt', lets his friend try it, his sister catches them and although outwardly angry, she secretly wants to try it. She does not have the knowledge about what precautions to take, and ends up overdosing)

Part 1 - Young man uses electricity
Part 2 - The young man's friend wants to try it and his sister discovers her brother's electricity use
Part 3 - Sister shows an interest in using electricity
Part 4 - Sister tries to use electricity and overdoses
Part 5 - The brother talks to the audience about his habit

[The questions here are geared towards exploring the relationships between the characters, rather than focusing wholly on the drug parallels]

  • Why is the first young man more protective of his little sister than he is of his best friend?
  • Why do think the sister is tempted to try a jolt?
  • What are the major influences on each character? (Friends, celebrities, family?)
  • Should the brother have been more protective of his sister, or been more open and shared his knowledge with her?
  • Is the first young man, or is he likely to become, an addict?
  • What do you think happens next?

What drugs do you know about?
(vox pops, people in the street naming drugs they know, but why do they immediately mention the illegal ones?)

What drugs do you know about?
  • Why do people react like this when you mention the word 'drugs' to them?
  • Why are dangerous things more appealing?
  • Can prescription drugs be dangerous too? In what ways?

    • Linda's story

    (story of the effects of drug use. Photographs and home movies)


    • What are your reactions to this story?
    • Do you think it could happen to you?