Smithton Primary collects Substance Aware School Award

Issued by NHS Highland

A Highland school has been recognised for their work in helping young people make positive life choices.

The Substance Aware School (SAS) Award has been developed to recognise and reward consistent, ongoing approaches to prevent substance use among young people across Highland.

This initiative is a joint partnership between the Highland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership (HADP), The Highland Council, NHS Highland, Police Scotland and the Highland Child Protection Committee.

The award aims to:

• Support and promote evidence-informed substance education and prevention in Highland
• Celebrate and showcase good practice of substance education and prevention in Highland
• Encourage and sustain healthy attitudes and behaviours among young people in the Highlands

Smithton Primary School in Inverness were the winners of the 2020/21 Gold SAS Award and prize money of £1,000 to be spent on positive activities for young people.

Aileen MacKay, Head Teacher of Smithton Primary School, said: “We are thrilled to receive the Gold Award for the third consecutive year. We are delighted that our hard work has been recognised and the dedication of our staff has meant that our young people are more substance aware.”

Johanna Downie, Community Early Years Practitioner at Smithton Primary School said: “The children enjoyed gaining a better awareness of being healthy through interactive activities, while staff recognise the benefits of early interventions to help children make safe choices.”

Donna Munro, Lead Officer with Highland Child Protection Committee, said: “It was a privilege to be part of the judging panel for this year’s event. The innovate ways the children have promoted positive lifestyle choices involving the school, parents and the wider community have been incredible, in spite of the pandemic.”

Councillor John Finlayson, Chair of The Highland Council’s Education Committee, said: “I am delighted to hear of Smithton Primary School’s success again this year. I would like to congratulate all stakeholders in the school community and especially staff and pupils for the most important work they do in relation to substance use awareness raising, which will hopefully support pupils and the wider community in the years ahead.”

Information on how to apply for the SAS award can be found at the Highland Substance Awareness Toolkit: www.highlandsubstanceawareness.scot.nhs.uk/