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Roadshow helps to respect children’s rights
Pupils at secondary schools across North Ayrshire are learning about the dangers of drugs and alcohol thanks to an informative and fun roadshow.
The Prevention and Education Schools Roadshow educates young people and listens to their views on everything from smoking and vaping to alcohol and illegal drugs.
Its aim is to hear what young people think about these issues and to look at ways alcohol and drugs education techniques can be improved.
The programme - now in its third year - is run jointly by the Councils’ Education team, North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership’s Alcohol & Drug Partnership and North Ayrshire Alcohol and Drug Recovery Service (NADARS).
The roadshow tours high schools and engages with S1 pupils, with the most recent event taking place at Largs Academy earlier this month.
Young people at Largs Academy took part in six 50-minute long workshops over the course of the day involving Council staff and partners, including: Trading Standards, Police Scotland, KA Leisure, the NHS Prevention & Service Support Team; Turning Point Scotland’s Prevention, Early intervention and Recovery (PEAR) service; Children First and Barnardo’s.
Over the past two school years - 2024/25 and 2025/26 - around 2670 pupils took part in sessions at the Council’s eight secondary schools.
The programme is aligned to the Alcohol & Drug Partnership’s strategic plan, which has numerous priorities, including:
- fewer people developing problem drug use.
- children and families affected by alcohol and drug use will be safe, healthy, included and supported and
- for less harm to be caused by alcohol.
The Council follows the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) to ensure that all children’s rights are respected and that they are free to learn, play and develop.
The Convention has 54 Articles, covering all aspects of a child’s life, including Article 33: Protection from harmful drugs – which the roadshow is a fine example of.
Quote: I am delighted to see how successful this partnership working between various Council teams, the HSCP and community organisations has been in ensuring our young people are getting all the information they need about the dangerous of drugs and alcohol.
Quote from: Councillor Chloe Robertson, the Council’s Young People’s Champion
Feedback on the roadshow from Largs Academy pupils includes Sol, 12, saying people “explaining what their struggles were with drugs and alcohol was really important”.
Leah, 13, explained: “We learned about how vapes are really bad and there are a lot of serious health risks, and you can get lung cancer and other major health issues.”
And Isla, 12, added: “The workshops are quite interactive and easy to be part of.”
Councillor Margaret Johnson, Cabinet Member for Education & Young People, believes engaging with young pupils on health matters is vital.
Quote: We need our young people feel confident that they can speak out and ask questions about a range of subjects, no matter how difficult, and to feel comfortable doing so. This roadshow is a great way to ensure they feel respected and listened to in a safe setting, and I would like to congratulate everyone involved for giving S1 pupils a platform to have their voices heard.
Quote from: Councillor Margaret Johnson, Cabinet Member for Education and Young People
Published: 11 June 2026