Shared Responsibility

During the 2008 Association of Chief Police Officers Scotland (ACPOS) Drugs Conference, a representative of the Colombian Government, Ana Maria Caballero, spoke about the affect of drugs on her country and “Shared Responsibility”, a Colombian Government initiative which is supported by many international partners. It focuses on making individuals think about the impact of drug misuse, drug demand and drug production, in particular cocaine misuse within communities at home and abroad.
 
Marianne Logan, a pupil at Girvan Academy, also addressed the conference, the title of her speech, “A safer, stronger, Scotland for the future”.

Marianne challenged those attending to activate today’s tomorrow, and encourage young people to use their voice and challenge drug misuse.
 
It is against this background that Girvan Academy became involved and Shared Responsibility was introduced to Scottish schools in June 2008.

Working in collaboration with the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency, the Colombian Government and College Nueva Granada, Girvan embarked on a programme of activities to promote substance misuse education which it hoped would lead to pupils making positive choices in life, leading to healthy lifestyles and enhanced citizenship. The programme is cross curricular in nature and designed to illustrate the benefits of Curriculum for Excellence.

Girvan Academy held a Colombia Month for all second year (S2) pupils involved the departments of Social Subjects (History, Geography and Modern Studies), Religious and Moral Education and Modern Languages.

Each S2 class learned about environmental, human and ethical devastation in drug production countries and drug use in Scotland.  Modern studies examined the social, economical and political issues within Colombia and in History these issues were given a historical context, from the natives of Colombia to the modern day.
In Geography they focused on the environmental aspects; rainforests, volcanoes and earthquakes. In addition to this RME focused on the ethical side of the drugs trade and the lives of street children. Modern Languages contributed to this cross-curricular project through teaching Spanish.

Through evaluating the environmental, social and ethical impacts of the drugs trade, coca production and political situation the pupils developed informed views. By using a variety of different media, communication skills, including ICT, the classes were able to create school displays. These were created by pupils taking lead roles in being creative, thinking critically and challenging their own ideas. Pupils then provided feedback describing their thoughts.

The project has developed pupils understanding not only of their place in the world but of the different culture and beliefs in Colombia, and how cocaine in particular has an impact on communities on the other side of the world. This interdisciplinary learning has certainly provided a relevant, challenging and enjoyable learning experience for all.

The Exhibition

The Colombian Government have very generously gifted the SCDEA with an exhibition showing visual images of the destruction and ethical issues experienced within their country. This exhibition is available for display and it is particularly useful as a learning tool.

There is little cost involved at present, although users may be asked to assist with the practicalities of transportation depending on its location and we ask that the exhibition is supervised if on open display and in use.

 
Please contact the SCDEA on the below details if you are interested in borrowing the exhibition or finding out more information.
 
Kirsty McGregor ( SCDEA Events Coordinator)
Kirsty.mcgregor@scdea.pnn.police.uk

0141 302 1000

Elaine MacLennan SCDEA Interventions
(ChoicesforLife/SharedResponsibility)
Elaine.maclennan@scdea.pnn.police.uk

0131 335 6111.

For further information about Shared Responsibility
You can also visit the website at www.sharedresponsibility.gov.co