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Chapter 4: After the Event

4.1 As stated in the aims and objectives the extent to which the events led to changes in knowledge of, attitudes towards and in their health behaviours related to drugs, alcohol and smoking is extremely difficult to measure. Below we explore the data from the pre and post questionnaires to and comment on any changes in attitudes. We also explore the opinions of pupils and teachers from the group discussions.

Knowledge and Understanding of Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking

4.2 Pupil responses in the self-completion questionnaires showed that two-thirds thought that they had learnt a great deal from the Choices for Life and a further quarter thought they had learnt a little.

Figure 5: Amount learnt from Choices for Life

4.3 However, during the discussions the pupils did not feel the event had substantially improved their knowledge or understanding of the facts about drugs, alcohol and smoking. The teachers' views corresponded with this. This is at first surprising given that so many survey respondents indicated that they had learnt something. As discussed in the previous chapter, however, the key messages gained from the events are more 'emotive': rather than facts, the events communicated more about issues such as peer pressure and the way in which young people can become involved in drug use and underage drinking and the consequences of their actions.

I don't think they learned any more at the actual event about drugs and which drugs did what, but I think what could happen to them was brought home through Choices for Life, the dangers
Teacher

I don't think they learn anything new from it. I think it's just presented to them in a different way
Teacher

4.4 Supporting this are the findings from a series of statements asked of pupils after the events. Over four in five pupils felt the event made them think about the risk of taking drugs (85%), avoiding drugs in the future (84%) and realising taking drugs is against the law (81%) (shown in Figure 6).

Figure 6: Things done because of the events

4.5 Analysis of subgroups shows that four in five (80%) pupils living in the least deprived areas felt they learnt a great deal as a result of attending choices while this dropped to three in five (58%) of those in the most deprived. That said, those in the most deprived areas were more likely to say that Choices had made them think about the risks of taking drugs, avoiding drugs in the future and thinking about what they would do if someone offered them drugs compared to those in the least deprived areas.

Attitudes Towards Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking

4.6 The pre- and post-event surveys measured attitudes towards alcohol, drugs and smoking. Overall, there was little difference between pupils' attitudes before the event and after the event. There was also little difference between the attitudes of those who attended an event and those who did not attend an event.

4.7 Figure 7shows a selection of the attitude statements used in the survey. Details of all attitude statements are included in the findings in the appendix.

Figure 7: Attitudes towards drugs and alcohol before and after the events

4.8 These results suggest the events had only a marginal impact on pupils' attitudes. Of course, for a large majority, attitudes before the event were already negative towards taking drugs, alcohol or smoking, but for each statement there is a minority - up to 30% in the case of pre-event agreement about peer pressure - who do not agree. While there might be limited scope for most people's attitudes to become more negative towards these substances, the lack of change suggests that attitudes are reasonably firmly set before the event, particularly among the minority whose views were not negative before the event and remain so afterwards. In the group discussions, it became clear that instead of generating attitude change, negative attitudes particularly towards drugs and smoking and to a lesser extent alcohol were reinforced by the events.

4.9 This lack of change in views is also evident when pupils were asked about the risks associated with drugs, alcohol and cigarettes. As

Table 2 shows, there are no significant differences between the pre and post-event opinions.

Table 2: Risk of harm from alcohol, drugs and smoking

Base: Pre-event (1,714), Post-event All those that attended an event (1,379)

Health Behaviours and Intentions

4.10 There was little difference between results of the pre and post-event surveys regarding the amount of fruit, vegetables or water consumed or in levels of sport participation.

Figure 8: Health behaviours before and after the events

4.11 Intention to try drugs, alcohol or smoking also does not show any change but it would be difficult to measure any behavioural or even intentional change using a survey, particularly when so few say they are likely to try drugs, alcohol or smoking in the pre-event questionnaire.

4.12 The likelihood that pupils will try drugs, alcohol or smoking has also been discussed in the previous chapters where it was clear that the majority do not believe that they will take drugs. The messages from Choices for Life appeared to strengthen pupils' resolve not to use drugs.

Choices for Life, after seeing that, I was like "nah I'm not going to go down the road the same way. It's only losers that take drugs".
S1 pupil, female

4.13 When looking at future intentions, of most relevance is the discussion with pupils who attended an event in 2005 since the impact of the events is more likely to become apparent as the pupils get older (due to pupil perceptions that they are more likely to try alcohol, drugs and smoking when they are older). Very few of the first year pupils said they had tried alcohol, drugs or smoking and many said they were still influenced by what they saw in the video and play shown at the events. Of those who had tried drugs, smoking or alcohol, they said they thought about the messages from Choices for Life but wanted to "fit in" nonetheless. Some described the effect that peer pressure can have on them.

If they just offered it to you and then you say 'no, I don't drink' they'll probably go 'Oh XX doesn't drink. How fancy is he. He doesn't do that' and then they just start taking the piss out of you …
S1 pupil, male

Education Following up Choices for Life

4.14 As well as notes to use before the event, teachers were provided with notes to use after the event. When the post-event notes were used they were found to be helpful, however, due to the events being held near the end of the school term many teachers felt unable to follow up from Choices for Life due to other curriculum and school commitments. It was clear that Primary 7 is a busy year for pupils and teachers and that much of the drug, healthy living and alcohol education is given during this time.

Primary 7 is always top heavy with health. It's like the Scottish Office [sic] thinks we'll do everything in Primary 7 before they go to secondary school. It's like a mad rush on and in a way it's difficult for the P7's because there's other things to study. It would help if the health topics maybe started in primary 5.
Teacher

4.15 It was also evident that both teachers and pupils felt that some sort of follow-up to Choices for Life would be welcome.

4.16 As the events are held at the end of term, there is no opportunity for primary teachers to build on the messages of Choices for Life. It would be possible to follow up in secondary school but this currently does not happen. When speaking to secondary school teachers it was clear that many of them had not heard of Choices for Life. The S1 pupils also noted that while they received large amounts of health education in primary school, this has declined somewhat since arriving at secondary school.

4.17 Pupils said that they would benefit from another Choices for Life style event later in secondary school. There were two main reasons for this. Firstly, there was a concern that they would not remember the key messages when they are older and more likely to encounter drugs, alcohol and smoking. Secondly, they thought that as they would be older and more mature they would be capable of understanding more about the physical and emotional effects of drugs.

I think we should have another one when we are about 15 and stuff because like if people were to start taking drugs then they wouldn't remember that time in P7.
S1 Pupil, female

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