Police & Partners to hold drop-in sessions at Inverness Schools   

Issued by Police Scotland

Police and Partners promote ‘Choices for Life’ for young people 

Members of the public are being invited to attend five drop-in sessions aimed at promoting the ‘Choose Life’ message to peers and parents. 

Following joint meetings with Police Scotland and Highland Council secondary school head teachers, the Police Scotland Inverness Community Beats team in partnership with ‘Choices for Life’ will be holding informal drop in sessions aimed at parents, carers and young people to provide information in relation to drugs, alcohol and online safety. 

Bill Alexander, Highland Council’s Director of Care and Learning said: “We have been working closely with Police Scotland recently on drugs awareness and I am pleased that these events in our schools will provide opportunities for people to find out more about how to stay safe.” 

Constable Laura Kerr, School Liaison Officer, said: “By holding drop-in events for parents, students and anyone who is interested in learning more about a range of issues, we hope to provide useful information and a level of reassurance that partners continue to work very closely to keep young people in the Highlands safe.” 

The events will allow parents, carers and young people to ask questions and gain information such as: 

• What do drugs look like and what effects do they have? 
• How can drugs and alcohol affect you /your child’s future? 
• Why is internet safety important? 

The drop-in sessions will be held at the following venues, and times: 

• Monday 27th February 2017 : 5-7pm at Culloden Academy, Inverness 
• Wednesday 1st March 2017 : 5 – 7pm at Charleston Academy, Inverness 
• Thursday 2nd March 2017 : 10am -2pm at UHI Campus, Inverness; and 3-7pm at Eastgate Shopping Centre, Inverness. 

The events are open to all parents, carers and young people in the Highland region regardless of school catchment areas. The events will be supported and attended by Highland Secondary schools, Police Scotland, Highland Alcohol and Drug Partnership, Youth Action Service and Crimestoppers. 

Highland Drug and Alcohol Partnership also recommend the use of the online “Highland Substance Awareness Toolkit” which can be found at: http://www.highlandsubstancemisuse.scot.nhs.uk/ 

The toolkit is an on-line resource for pupils, parents, carers, teachers and other professionals. It provides a wide range of up to date information, advice and resources on drugs and alcohol. Content includes guidance for parents on talking to teenagers about alcohol and drugs and support for young people to deal with peer pressure.