Fearless Scotland drugs campaign launched

Young people urged to “Learn from my mistakes - don’t wait to learn from yours,” in new Fearless drugs campaign for Scotland 

A new drugs campaign by Fearless – the youth service of Crimestoppers - has been launched by Minister for Drugs and Alcohol, Christina McKelvie, at Craigroyston High School, Edinburgh. 

Centered around the lived experience of Peer Mentors from criminal justice services, Fearless have produced a video podcast that is being shared to young people across Scotland on Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok.

Reflecting on their own personal stories of recovery, the Mentors spoke of their own journeys and how they now help others through substance misuse and the criminal justice system.

Kevin, a Peer Mentor at The VOW Project based in Edinburgh said:

“My rock bottom should have killed me. Don’t wait until you hit your rock bottom. You might not survive your rock bottom. Take action now.

“Learn from my mistakes - don’t wait to learn from yours.”

Speaking about the charity’s promise of 100% anonymity, Donald, another Peer Mentor at The VOW Project, said:

“It’s not about sticking people in - it’s about saving people’s lives. 

“It’s about helping people and supporting people and trying to get them out of that. 

“Some people would say, it doesn’t matter who you stick in, there’s going to be someone who takes their place and that might be true, but at the end of the day you’re giving someone else breathing space just now.”

“You’re giving them that opportunity to get out of it.”

Pat, a Peer Mentor at the Positive Outcomes Project in Glasgow, agreed:

“It’s not about being a grass.. It’s about you caring for somebody. 

“It’s coming from a compassionate place, not a bad place. Which I think, if people realised, would get them to speak up more.”

In addition to the video podcast, Fearless will be running outreach events in cities across Scotland throughout March. 

The charity will also be publishing a series of substance misuse themed blogs on their website for adults who look after or work with young people from the Child and Young People’s Centre for Justice (CYCJ) , The DSM Foundation and the Scottish Ambulance Service.

Lyndsay McDade, National Youth Projects Coordinator for the charity Crimestoppers Scotland, said: 

“You only have to talk to young people to quickly realise how much they value authentic voices of experience. That’s why it was so important for me to bring Pat, Eddie, Donald and Kevin together to discuss their incredible journeys to recovery.

“The video podcast covers really crucial themes such as the way society can often de-humanise substance users; the exploitation of young people and vulnerable adults by serious organised crime gangs; and a messaged of hope by highlighting that recovery is possible. I’m hugely grateful to the VOW Project and the Positive Outcomes Programme, not just for supporting our campaign, but for the vital work they do in our communities.

“If you know or suspect who is responsible for the sale or manufacturing of drugs or the exploitation of vulnerable young people or adults, you can speak up 100% anonymously at Fearless.org. We can’t track your IP address or any contact details, but as Donald said, it can be life-saving.”

Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister Christina McKelvie said:

“It was a pleasure to support the launch of the Fearless Drug Awareness Campaign at Craigroyston Community High School. Listening to people with lived experience is instrumental in reducing stigma and helps prevent young people from falling into the same destructive cycle.

“While there has been positive work to support the recent decline in drugs deaths in those aged 25 and under, many people who experience harms from using drugs started their substance use at an early age.

“Information provided 100% anonymously to Fearless can help break the cycle of drug-taking and criminal exploitation.”

Chief Inspector Neil Wilson, Police Scotland, said: 

“We are always looking for ways to better engage with young people in our communities and give them a voice to report their concerns.

“We are grateful for the work Fearless do and will continue to support their projects to help ensure young people understand the harm drugs and associated criminality can cause to their lives, and how they can help themselves, and others, before crime impacts their lives and futures.”

Listen to the full podcast at Fearless.org: Drugs | Crimestoppers (crimestoppers-uk.org)