The Drug Education Forum

Why are young people with ADHD 4–5 times more likely to develop problematic relationships with drugs? Host Paul North is joined by Joe Elliott, who shares his journey from using cannabis at 13 to self-regulate an undiagnosed ADHD brain, through addiction, to recovery and a late diagnosis that changed everything.
They explore what dysregulation really feels like, why ADHD brains have a lower dopamine baseline, the "20,000 more negative comments" statistic, rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD), behavioural addictions like gaming and short-form content, and practical, shame-free ways parents, teachers and professionals can respond when drug use is discovered.
To be clear: cannabis is not a way for young people to manage ADHD. This conversation is about understanding what drives problematic use, so adults can address the underlying need and connect young people with healthy support.
About our guest: Joe Elliott, Founder of Elevate Up Neurodiversity Consultancy, shares lived experience of ADHD and addiction, with powerful insights for professionals working in drug education, harm reduction, and early intervention. Joe draws on his personal journey and professional expertise to highlight how neurodivergence can impact risk-taking, emotional regulation, and substance use, and what this means for those supporting young people. Find Joe at https://elevate-up.org/ — including free neurodiversity talks for schools and colleges: https://elevate-up.org/social-purpose/
In this episode:
(00:00) Welcome: neurodiversity and problematic drug use (00:42) Joe's story: cannabis at 13 to self-regulate (04:57) Focus on the underlying problem, not the drug (07:01) Why ADHD raises addiction risk: dopamine explained (14:20) Dysregulation and 20,000 more negative comments (19:49) 4–5x addiction risk and behavioural addictions (23:40) Short-form content, TikTok and dopamine (27:01) What professionals can do (37:04) The strengths of ADHD (40:38) Rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD) (46:22) Where to find Joe and Elevate Up
The Drug Education Forum brings together drug education providers, educators and practitioners from across the UK, and is led by the DSM Foundation. We host free webinars with expert speakers — sign up at https://drugeducationforum.org.uk/sign-up/
Learn more: https://drugeducationforum.org.uk/ All episodes: https://drugeducationforum.org.uk/defpodcast/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/drug-education-forum Contact: info@drugeducationforum.org.uk
If you found this episode useful, please follow, rate and share — it helps us reach more people working with young people.
 

In this episode of Drug Education Forum, we speak with Morgan Moore, National Delivery Manager at Planet Youth, about the Icelandic Youth Model and how it is being applied in Scotland to prevent problematic drug and alcohol use among young people.
The Icelandic Youth Model focuses on prevention at a community level. Rather than relying solely on drug education or individual interventions, it looks at family life, peer groups, after-school activities, community cohesion, and how young people spend their time outside of school.
We discuss how local data is gathered and used to understand risk factors within specific communities, how that data informs targeted interventions, and what this approach teaches us about preventing harmful patterns of behaviour before they develop.
This conversation is aimed at professionals working with young people, including those in education, youth services, public health, drug and alcohol services, and local authorities.
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⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction and overview of the conversation01:30 – Origins of the Icelandic Youth Model04:30 – Why Iceland took a different approach to prevention08:20 – How Planet Youth applies the model in Scotland12:00 – Natural highs, protective factors, and after-school time17:30 – Why information alone does not prevent problematic drug use21:00 – The limits of traditional drug education approaches25:00 – Funding challenges and long-term prevention outcomes29:30 – Using local data to guide community interventions33:00 – What professionals can learn from the model37:30 – Why community context matters in drug prevention41:00 – Scaling the model across the UK44:00 – Final thoughts and where to learn more
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🔗 Links & Resources
Planet Youthhttps://planetyouth.org
Drug Education Forumhttps://drugeducationforum.com

Solvent and inhalant use remains one of the least discussed but most dangerous forms of substance misuse in the UK. In this interview, Paul North speaks with Dan Gibbons, Training and Engagement Lead at Resolve, a UK charity dedicated to solvent abuse education and prevention.
Together they explore why solvent use is so often overlooked, how to recognise the signs, and what practical steps can be taken to reduce harm and raise awareness.
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⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction01:25 – Why solvent abuse is still a hidden issue03:10 – How widespread is solvent use among young people?05:42 – Why we underestimate the problem08:05 – The unique risks of inhalant use10:18 – Why solvents can cause sudden cardiac arrest14:03 – The “Solvent Abuse Can Kill” warning and what it means17:45 – The stigma and misconceptions around solvent use21:10 – How to spot the signs and talk to young people safely26:22 – What schools and parents can do right now30:05 – Dan’s work with Resolve and national education efforts34:58 – Resources, helplines and where to get support
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📚 Resources & Support
Resolve – UK charity providing education, resources and support for solvent and inhalant use:👉 https://www.re-solve.org
Drug Education Forum – Professional guidance and free resources for teachers, youth workers and safeguarding leads:👉 https://www.drugeducationforum.com
FRANK – Government-backed information on drugs and substances:👉 https://www.talktofrank.com
If you’re in the UK and need immediate help, call 111 for medical advice or 999 in an emergency.
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🗣️ Help Raise Awareness
If you work with young people, share this video and help others understand the realities of solvent use.📩 Add these links to your school, safeguarding or training materials.📢 Follow Resolve for free resources and updates: https://www.re-solve.org🔔 Subscribe for more conversations that raise awareness and promote education around drugs, policy, and youth wellbeing.

In this episode, Paul North speaks with Steve Duffy (Project Manager, Choose Life Project), Dr Cassie Ogden (Senior Lecturer in Sociology, Liverpool John Moores University), and Dr Karen Corteen (Senior Lecturer in Criminal Justice, Liverpool John Moores University).Together they explore how the Choose Life Project uses lived experience, storytelling, and research-based education to change how young people understand addiction.
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⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction – What is the Choose Life Project?05:45 – Dr Cassie Ogden on the schools evaluation and shifting pupil attitudes13:30 – Dr Karen Corteen on the university evaluation and student perspectives20:15 – Volunteers’ experiences – how sharing their stories supports recovery27:00 – Lessons learned – the role of empathy, stigma reduction, and critical thinking33:10 – Reflections – how this research informs future drug education
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🔗 Links & Resources • Choose Life Project – Official Website: https://www.chooselifeuk.com • Drug Education Forum: https://drugeducationforum.org.uk • Research Reports (Liverpool John Moores University): • A Qualitative Evaluation of the Impact of a Choose Life Project Event on Pupils in England and Wales – Dr Cassie Ogdenhttps://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprin... • A Qualitative Evaluation of the Personal, Academic and Professional Impact of a Choose Life Project Event on Criminal Justice Students in Universities in England – Dr Karen Corteen & Dr Amy Hughes-Stanleyhttps://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprin...
💬 Join the ConversationIf you found this episode insightful, please like, subscribe, and share. Visit the Drug Education Forum and Choose Life Project websites to explore more evidence-based approaches to drug education, empathy, and recovery.

In this episode, we sit down with Fiona Measham, Chair in Criminology at the University of Liverpool and founder of The Loop. Fiona is one of the most influential voices in harm reduction, with decades of research into MDMA, ketamine, and drug use at festivals.
We dive deep into the realities of today’s drug markets, the challenges of drug education, and the life-saving role of drug checking services in the UK.
👉 Check out Fiona’s work with The Loop: https://wearetheloop.org/👉 Find out more about the Drug Education Forum: https://drugeducationforum.com/
If you enjoy this episode, please like, subscribe, and share to help more people find these important conversations.
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Timestamps:01:10 – Introduction to Fiona Measham01:20 – Fiona’s impact in harm reduction01:37 – The Loop & Drug Education Forum02:02 – The changing price and strength of MDMA03:28 – Accessibility, cost of alcohol, and why MDMA is cheaper04:27 – Risks of pill strength and unknown contents05:09 – Deaths rising despite stable prevalence06:06 – Why education about dose and tolerance matters07:25 – Drug checking as a healthcare service08:39 – Interactions with prescription medication09:41 – Why young people stop meds before festivals11:16 – Evidence-based, believable drug education12:20 – The failures of school drug education13:21 – Alcohol trends, social media, and health focus15:02 – Ketamine’s cultural shift from counter-culture to mainstream18:22 – Daily dependent use, health harms, and deprivation19:10 – Trauma, Covid, and self-medication21:00 – The need for more harm reduction funding22:09 – Reclassifying ketamine: deterrence vs. unintended consequences23:31 – Cocaine markets and purity27:02 – Shifts from cannabis to ketamine in schools28:09 – From subcultures to Spotify generation31:15 – Drug checking licences in the UK33:24 – Why festivals are a key space for engagement35:03 – Preventable deaths and the importance of alerts36:33 – Drug checking as the “canary in the coal mine”39:45 – What happens in a drug checking consultation41:23 – Peer networks and cascading information45:13 – Where harm reduction education should happen46:03 – Festivals vs. clubbing and Ibiza holidays48:44 – Dogs and drug detection debates50:57 – Closing thoughts + subscribe reminder

In the second episode of the Drug Education Forum Podcast, host Paul North, a steering committee member and experienced drug education advocate, speaks with Nick Hickmott, Early Intervention Lead at We Are With You in Kent. 
Nick, a specialist in harm reduction and drug education for young people, discusses the evolution of how young people access drugs—from traditional local dealers to digital platforms like Telegram.
They explore the impacts of this shift, including increased accessibility, entrepreneurial opportunities, and the risks for vulnerable youth, while emphasizing the need for nuanced, evidence-based education.
This series by the Drug Education Forum features experts to foster informed discussions on drug education. 
Visit https://drugeducationforum.org.uk/ for more resources and events.
Subscribe for upcoming episodes and share your views in the comments.
Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction: The Shift in Drug Procurement02:38 - From Legacy Dealers to Digital Markets09:56 - How Young People Access Drugs Today14:54 - Entrepreneurial Aspects and Vulnerabilities18:17 - Cultural Influences and Normalization30:19 - Festivals and Harm Reduction (truncated reference)59:01 - Closing Thoughts on Drug Education  #DrugEducation #SubstanceAwareness #DrugEducationForum #YouthDrugAccess #HarmReduction

In the inaugural episode of the Drug Education Forum Podcast, host Paul North, a seasoned drug education advocate and steering committee member, sits down with Fiona Spargo-Mabbs OBE, Chair of the Drug Education Forum and Founder of the Daniel Spargo-Mabbs Foundation. Together, they explore the pressing challenges in drug education—sifting through vast, ever-changing information, countering media-driven misconceptions, and crafting evidence-based messages that connect with young people. They also discuss opportunities to empower educators, parents, and professionals through collaborative networks and innovative resources.
This new podcast series, hosted by the Drug Education Forum, brings together leading experts to advance evidence-based drug education. Paul, with over a decade of experience engaging thousands of students, and Fiona, an award-winning author and advocate, set the stage for impactful conversations. Learn more about our work and join our events at https://drugeducationforum.org.uk/. Subscribe to stay updated on future episodes featuring diverse voices in the field, and share your insights in the comments.
Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction: Why Drug Education Matters01:06 - Challenge: Information Overload and Misconceptions10:59 - Opportunity: Building Effective Education Networks23:51 - Media’s Influence on Drug Perceptions30:19 - The Future of Drug Education  
#DrugEducation #SubstanceAwareness #DrugEducationForum #YouthEducation #EvidenceBasedPractice