The Drug Education Forum
The Drug Education Forum
Podcast Description
The Drug Education Forum brings together drug education providers, educators and practitioners from across the UK as a Community of Practice.
Visit us: https://drugeducationforum.org.uk/
We believe that every young person in the UK should have access to excellent, evidence-based, age-appropriate drug education, to enable them to make choices about drugs that are informed, independent and will prevent or reduce risk and harm.
The Drug Education Forum is led by the DSM Foundation, bringing together drug education providers, educators and practitioners from across the UK who are committed to ensuring this happens.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast emphasizes the importance of evidence-based drug education, airing episodes that delve into topics such as the challenges of misinformation in media, effective strategies for engaging young people, and the role of community in drug education. For instance, the inaugural episode covers navigating information overload and empowering educators and parents with collaborative resources.
The Drug Education Forum brings together drug education providers, educators and practitioners from across the UK as a Community of Practice.
Visit us: https://drugeducationforum.org.uk/
We believe that every young person in the UK should have access to excellent, evidence-based, age-appropriate drug education, to enable them to make choices about drugs that are informed, independent and will prevent or reduce risk and harm.
The Drug Education Forum is led by the DSM Foundation, bringing together drug education providers, educators and practitioners from across the UK who are committed to ensuring this happens.
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 – Introduction
01:25 – Why solvent abuse is still a hidden issue
03:10 – How widespread is solvent use among young people?
05:42 – Why we underestimate the problem
08:05 – The unique risks of inhalant use
10:18 – Why solvents can cause sudden cardiac arrest
14:03 – The “Solvent Abuse Can Kill” warning and what it means
17:45 – The stigma and misconceptions around solvent use
21:10 – How to spot the signs and talk to young people safely
26:22 – What schools and parents can do right now
30:05 – Dan’s work with Resolve and national education efforts
34:58 – 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.
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