Invited guests, students and members of the Big World cast
Ana Maria Caballero, Advisor to the Vice President of Columbia and Fergus Ewing, Minister for Community Safety, paid a visit to Girvan Academy to speak to students and other invited guests.
During their visit they gained an insight into the lives of some young people who are involved in drugs, through the eyes of an Ayr College Performing Arts students ‘Big World’ drama presentation.
Visiting Scotland to address the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS) National Drugs Conference, which was supported by the Scottish Crime and Drugs Enforcement Agency (SCDEA), held at Turnberry Hotel, Ana Maria made it clear that producing or taking drugs is not acceptable. The 2008 drugs conference has attracted delegates from law enforcement agencies in Great Britain and abroad, as well as a wide range of delegates from the private, public and voluntary sectors.
Roy Birnie Head Teacher at Girvan Academy welcomed the guests to his school and said: “Ana Maria chose to visit our school because one of our fourth year pupils, Marianne Logan, had been invited to address the drugs conference, her topic being ‘A Safer and Stronger Scotland for the Future’. Marianne who lives in Girvan, is a member of Girvan Academy debating society, Detective Superintendent MacColl, National Drugs Co-ordinator/Deputy Head Interventions, Scottish Crime and Drugs Enforcement Agency, heard Marianne speak at the Scottish Futures Forum at the Scottish Parliament. The theme of the forum was ‘What Scotland's Drink and Drug Culture will be like in 25 years’ and Marianne was remembered from her performance at that event.
“Receiving such a special group of visitors to the school was a great experience for the students, and I am sure that the knowledge that they have gained by listening to the experience and advice from Ana Maria and the Minister will be invaluable to them.”
After being welcomed to the school the invited guests, that included Ana, Fergus Ewing, senior Strathclyde Police Officers and local Councillors, Ana Maria addressed the students and guests, and gave them the benefit of her life experiences in an interesting and educational way. The students had a chance to ask Ana Maria and the Minister questions and they both had an opportunity to talk to a number of students individually.
Speaking about her visit Ana Maria Caballero said: “It is the responsibility of communities around the world to help each other to eradicate drugs, which cause misery, ruin people’s lives, wreck their health and can lead to early death. I was very impressed with the students at Girvan Academy and the responsible attitude that they display towards drugs. I hope that other schools are as forward thinking as this one and educate their students in the dangers of drugs.
“Drug trafficking is a crime that has surpassed the boundaries of nations and regions. Illicit drug production, trafficking, consumption and abuse are a global problem. It requires countries to come together and join efforts in order to create plausible solutions. Traffickers respect no borders, no laws, nor human rights. In their wake they leave environmental destruction and violence.”
Performing Arts Students from Ayr College performed part of their ‘Big World’ production in front of the guests at Girvan Academy. The ‘Big World’ production raises students’ awareness of dangers that face them in the outside world, such as drugs and alcohol, acts of violence, antisocial behaviour and the effects of negative peer pressure.
The Ayr College students demonstrated through drama, with scripts they wrote themselves, the devastating effect that drugs can have on young people, their friends and families. The drama showed students that everyone has choices to make in life and that everyone can say no to drugs.
Fiona Hughes, Director of Creative Industries at Ayr College said: "Ayr College students have benefited enormously from participation in "The Big World". By heightening awareness of some of the social and drug related problems which young people face, our students have gained a valuable insight into the possible dangers they may well encounter. The opportunity to highlight these issues and share such worries with other young learners affords discussion and reflection through experiential learning. Education is central to understanding and developing the tools to tackle drugs problems. We are delighted to have been invited to this event which reinforces the importance of drug crime prevention."