Stop Smoking Cannabis workshop comes to Northampton school

The workshop is being held to tackle cannabis use among Northampton's youth.

They want to educate students about the dangers of drugs and say that it is "chilling" that public attitudes towards cannabis have become so "relaxed."

They claim cannabis damages developing brains and is especially dangerous to young people, causing memory and cognition problems.

Progress Schools Northampton, in Notre Dame Mews, off Wellington Street, in Lower Mounts, is working with the Stop Smoking Cannabis Service to discourage pupils from smoking the drug.

Stop Smoking Cannabis claim the drug causes "damage" to developing brains.

Progress Schools chief executive James Madine said: “Since our school opened in Northampton, we have become increasingly aware of the alarming level of cannabis usage among the town's youth.

“In our role as providers of education for those who have been excluded from school and unable to thrive in conventional schools, we are seeing first-hand some of the problems facing disadvantaged and disengaged youngsters – drugs figuring prominently – and are determined to do something positive about it.

“Working with Stop Smoking Cannabis means we can now reach these vulnerable young people. Some of them may already be using cannabis and it's our aim to get them to stop; for others who may be tempted to try it, this work will send out the right message about the harm that can come to them.”

Progress Schools Northampton was set up to educate students who struggle with mainstream education.

Kris Johnson, from Stop Smoking Cannabis, who will be leading the workshop.

Director of Stop Smoking Cannabis Kris Johnson said: “Cannabis is the most widely-used drug in the UK and its effects are devastating on users and their families.

“Sadly, the problem is prevalent among vulnerable and disadvantaged youngsters and, even worse, are the myths about the drug being propagated among these groups – like the one that it's a cure for cancer, which is complete rubbish.

“Also quite chilling is that public attitudes towards cannabis, a drug that's been a problem among young people for a very long time, have become so relaxed. It's ridiculous that such a state exists and is contributing to the fact the drug is even being taken by children of primary school age – I've known of someone aged eight who was a user.

“What we do is share some of the truths about cannabis which we believe will help motivate anyone who wants to stop using it. We teach them about the consequences of their behaviour while taking the drug and try to get them to think about what they actually want to do with their lives.”