The Power of Prevention: Why Drug Talks in Schools are Crucial

"Focusing on the first day rather than the worst day" 

I’ve recently celebrated 8 years being sober, but setbacks, grief, and adversity have marked my journey to this point. I learned the hard way that the use of drugs does not provide any solutions to human suffering. I’m a former addict and ex-prisoner, someone who knows firsthand the devastating effects of substance abuse on individuals, families, and communities. 

Today, I deliver drug prevention and addiction talks to young people because I know how important it is to intervene early. Drug prevention in schools and colleges is not just a ‘nice’ added extra to the curriculum – it is an essential part of shaping a healthier future for the next generations. Behind every drug addict is a child in pain who once had a dream, a community burdened, and a society feeling the wide-reaching effects of its consequences. Prevention is more than raising awareness; it is about empowering young people with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make better choices and take control of their own futures. 

Let’s take a deeper look at why these conversations are so critical. 

Conformity: The Invisible Pressure 

Teenagers are hardwired to seek acceptance. Like many adults, they too feel a burning need to belong. To feel seen, liked, and included drives so much of their behaviour. Unfortunately, this desire can lead young people down dangerous paths, as it did for me. 

I started using drugs in school, not because I craved the high initially, but because I craved escape and connection. I thought saying ‘Yes’ to drugs would make me feel a part of something and help me feel understood. 

In today’s world, the pressure to conform isn’t always as obvious as peer pressure. Sometimes, it’s the subtle influence of social media, where kids see partying, drinking, or drug use glamorised. Sometimes, it’s the silent fear of being the odd one out. Prevention talks help young people learn to accept who they are and understand these dynamics. They remind students that saying ‘No’ makes them strong, not weak, and they show them that their future is immensely more important than being popular today. 

The Epidemic of Low Self-Worth 

One thing I’ve learned is that addiction doesn’t start with the substance – it starts with a feeling of not being enough. Of wanting to change who we are. Dr Gabor Mate said we should ask “why the pain?” not “why the addiction?”. 

For me, low self-worth and a lack of identity were the gateway to addiction. I didn’t think I deserved better, so I didn’t fight for better. Drugs became my way of escaping my reality and manufacturing a different version of myself I preferred. But the escape was temporary, and every high dragged me further from my true self and deeper into a pit of addiction. 

When I talk to young people now, I see so many of them struggling with the same feelings I did. They’re constantly measuring themselves against impossible standards – whether that’s the perfect bodies and social lives they see on Instagram, or the relentless pressure to succeed in school. The world has taught children that their value is tied to those superficial things, and if we’re honest, often this striving follows us into adulthood too. 

Building self-worth and autonomy is one of the most powerful ways to prevent the ‘First Day’. Prevention talks give students a chance to reflect on who they are and who they want to be, helping them to believe that their future is something worth fighting for. 

When young people believe in themselves, they’re less likely to look for external validation or escape in dangerous, superficial places. 

The Absence of Positive Role Models 

When I was growing up, the people I generally looked up to were the wrong kind of “successful.” They drove luxury cars, carried wads of cash, and lived lives that seemed exciting and glamorous. I didn’t realise that most of them were drowning in debt, living in constant fear, and definitely not satisfied. 

Today, I make it my mission to be the kind of role model I never knew I needed. I stand in front of students and tell them the hard truth – not just about the consequences of drug abuse, but about the myths and lies that surround it. I show them that recovery is possible, that their voice matters, and that there’s more strength in walking away from the crowd than following it. 

Role models matter because they shape what young people believe is possible for their own lives. Prevention talks offer a chance to challenge the toxic narratives they might be exposed to and to replace them with hopeful stories of resilience and empowerment. 

The Widespread Impact of Addiction 

Addiction doesn’t just affect the addict – it ripples through their family, their community, and society as a whole. 

When I was in the depths of Class A drug addiction, I thought I was the only one affected by my choices. I was wrong. My mother lost sleep every night, wondering if she would ever see me again. My siblings carried the shame of having a brother in prison. My community suffered from my crime and the instability caused by substance abuse. 

Addiction drains public resources - healthcare systems are overwhelmed, law enforcement is stretched thin by drug-related crimes, and prisons are filled with people who need treatment instead of punishment. It also robs people of their potential. No one ever dreams of becoming a drug addict when they grow up. 

When I speak to students, I don’t just share my story, I share the story of my community, the people I hurt, and the opportunities I squandered. It’s not about placing blame; it’s about ownership and understanding that the choices we make have consequences far beyond ourselves. 

Empowerment is Prevention 

The ultimate goal of drug talks for me isn’t fear – it’s empowerment. It’s about helping young people understand that they have the strength to make their own choices, no matter what pressures they face, and that thinking independently is cool. 

I don’t stand in front of students and tell them they should feel ashamed of their differences. I tell them they’re human. I tell them it’s okay to feel unsure, scared, or even broken. But I also tell them that those feelings don’t have to define who they are. 

I give them tools. Ways to build their confidence, strategies to resist pressure, and examples of how to ask for help when they need it. Prevention talks aren’t about scaring kids into submission; they’re about showing them there is power in saying no, strength in seeking support, and freedom from choosing a better path. 

Turning Pain into Purpose 

When I look back on my life, there’s this weird tension that comes from knowing I made mistakes and not wanting to live with regret, because like it or not, those mistakes made me who I am today. Someone I’m proud of. Someone who effects change. But I do wonder how different things might have looked, if I’d had role models to look up to who I trusted and respected. 

I can’t change my past, but I can use it to change someone else’s future. Every time I speak to a room full of students, I see the impact of prevention in their eyes. They listen. They ask questions, and often, they stay back after the talk to tell me their own struggles and how I’ve inspired them. 

This is why prevention matters. It saves lives, not just from addiction, but from the seeds of self-doubt that lead to it. 

If you’re a teacher, a parent, or a policymaker, I urge you to prioritise drug prevention in schools. Prevention is not a luxury – it’s imperative. 

If you want to talk with me about my work, then please do reach out. Together, we can build a future where young people see their worth, believe in their potential, and make choices that lead them closer to the life they want and further from the life they fear. 

james@jamescrystal.co.uk