Information, advice, and guidance for schools on alcohol, tobacco and nicotine (in cigarettes e-cigarettes, or vapes) and other drugs.
These resources may help if you're completing our Understanding Substances Specialist Award or one of our Healthy Schools awards.
Definitions of drugs and substance use
A drug is a substance that acts on the central nervous system to cause physical, emotional, or psychological change.
This includes:
- alcohol
- nicotine
- over the counter and prescription medicines
- illegal drugs
- solvent and harmful substances that are found in some household products
We use the term substances to talk about all the drugs in this list.
How substance use can impact on children and young people
Substance use during adolescence can have significant short- and long-term impacts on health and wellbeing as it may:
- interfere with adolescent brain development and harm physical health
- increase the risk of accidents, injuries, hospital admissions
- impact mental health and wellbeing, negatively affect attendance, behaviour, attainment and educational outcomes
- increase exploitation and safeguarding risks
- contribute to risk-taking behaviours, such as unsafe sexual activity, violence, getting drawn into criminal behaviour or dangerous social situations
- increase the risk of substance dependence and other substance-related harms later in life
Bristol wants to help children and young people make safe choices about drugs and alcohol. This means helping them understand the risks, look after their health and wellbeing, and get help early if they need it. It also means protecting young people who may be at greater risk of harm or being used by criminals.
pdf Bristol Drug and Alcohol Strategy 2026-2030(3.15 MB) .
Across England, the aim is to reduce the number of young people using drugs, alcohol, tobacco and vapes, and help more young people choose not to use them.
The role of your school
Your school can help prevent harm from drugs, alcohol, smoking and vaping.
Supporting pupils
- Help pupils build confidence, cope with difficult feelings and feel part of the school community
- Provide a safe, welcoming and supportive place for all pupils
- Spot pupils who may need help early and make sure they get the right support
Teaching pupils
- Teach pupils about drugs, alcohol, smoking and vaping, including the risks to their health
- Use trusted resources as part of RSHE lessons, including:
- PSHE Association drug and alcohol education, with resources for Key Stages 1 to 5
- Pol-Ed, which is free for Bristol schools and includes lessons and other resources to help keep pupils safe
- Talk About Trust resources, including resources for pupils with SEND, parents and carers
Working together
- Make sure school leaders, policies and staff support this work
- Work with parents, carers, health services, youth services and other organisations to give pupils clear and consistent advice
Helping us understand the problem
- support pupils to take part in surveys, such as the Bristol Pupil Voice survey
- help provide information that allows Bristol and national services to better understand substance use and how to prevent harm
A whole-school approach means everyone in the school works together to support pupils and reduce harm from drugs and alcohol.
Our Understanding Substances Specialist Award gives schools a clear framework to follow.
Schools that start working towards the award may also be able to get a fully funded PSHE Association Plus membership, worth more than £400. There are a limited number of free memberships available.
Local services providing substance use support
Horizons Youth
Horizons Youth supports children and young people who are affected by their own drug or alcohol use, or the drug or alcohol use of a parent or carer.
Support in schools includes workshop and one-to-one support.
Horizons Youth also runs groups outside school for primary and secondary school-aged children and young people affected by a parent or carer's drug or alcohol use.
Bristol Drugs and Young People Project
The Bristol Drugs and Young People Project supports children and young people aged 5 and over who are affected by:
- their own drug or alcohol use
- a parent or carer's drug or alcohol use
Only a social worker can refer a child or young person to this service.
Hawkspring
Hawkspring supports children in South Bristol who are affected by a parent or carer's drug or alcohol use.
They also provide support in schools in South Bristol.
Find out more about support for children and young people from Hawkspring.
SmokeFree Bristol
SmokeFree Bristol provides support for:
- young people to stop smoking or vaping
- adults to stop smoking