What do students and academic staff think about The Staying Safe Programme?
“The evaluation of the Staying Safe Programme at the two pilot universities (the University of Manchester and the University of South Wales) has highlighted impressive levels of knowledge gain, skills development, and awareness of drug-related harms among both students and university administrators. Students reported that the non-judgemental approach with which information is presented allowed them to make informed choices, with some expressing a desire to moderate their own use or to address use among their friends.”
“I learnt a lot, which I think should be common knowledge. I wish that I could have done a course like this when starting university as I think it could have been very useful to learn about how to keep myself and my friends safe. I think the level at which the course was pitched was great, it was in no way judgemental or patronising, and it is for this reason that I think people are more likely to listen to the advice and guidance being given.
I liked that the course acted to de-bunk many common myths and helped remove stigmas surrounding drug use.
I liked the practical advise given throughout about how to reduce harms.”
“Course content (comprehensive and engaging).
Content was informative (usage/ considerations/ challenging misconceptions/ historical context).
Challenges many of the typical misconceptions – particularly around alcohol usage.
Video format was effective and engaging. Video presentations (multi-modal, good presentation; engaging presenter; comprehensive overview). ”
“I particularly like how detailed the course is, although I don’t feel the information is overwhelming for students, it is just enough for students to enhance their awareness of drug-related problems. I think the course has a great balance of drug awareness and safety information while providing an overview of the history of drugs and drug law. I think it will equip students with the knowledge needed to make safe choices and apply their knowledge in their daily lives. I think it is really great to have detailed explanations on the drug types and harms associated as most students will not have had education relating to substance use.”
“I liked how it was non-judgemental, in the sense that they understand that drug use isn’t good but people do it anyway. So, the best thing to do it just educate people. ”
“I really enjoyed the relaxed, conversational tone of the speakers in the videos. I felt that they were informative without being patronising, meaning it was easy to engage with the content.
The information was always related back to relevant areas of student life, for example; the risks of drink-spiking, the importance of consent, how this is often the first time many people will have been exposed to drugs and advice on managing this, how certain drug-taking habits may impact academic performance.”
“There is a need for a quality, intelligent, informed Harm Reduction piece, and this course fulfils that need. The level of knowledge, the voices and the register in which it is spoken, together with the user-friendly feel of the modules, mean that individuals and students en masse will be helped to stay safe to an extent that was previously challenging.”
“I’ve had a go at the course and found it great. ”
“The content of the Programme Instruction is well explained. Programme is well designed; easy to follow and very informative. It provides a good overview of the topic. This is great as students know what to expect from the start of the module. The idea of using 5-10 mins long videos to deliver the lectures makes is very easy to follow compared to the classic in class-lectures when you cannot simply pause the session or replay bits that are difficult to follow. Big thumbs up for this!
Again, the use of Quizzes before and after the session it’s a great way to test the level of knowledge acquired after each module, as well the effectiveness of each module. The course requirements are very clear and succinct, easy to follow and very straight forward. (Great design!) Well done to the producers of the course! ”
“I think it is made clear that the best way to avoid any harms is to not do drugs. And I think that came across, but also the fact that you know we know that people probably will or some will do drugs. So, you know you’re arming yourself with the information to stay as safe as you possibly can.”
“I think the ‘having a conversation’ module which tells you how to look out for your friends was useful. I feel like I have had situations where I have wanted to look out for someone but I didn’t know what to do .... because it is such a sensitive topic. But then at the same time, if I am concerned, how can I not talk about it? I like where it was positioned as well.”
“I want to congratulate you on the videos. They really are outstanding.
I really am impressed by the videos you created and the way you presented in them. ”
“I don’t think it would make it more likely to try stuff. But I think it would change your perspective.”
“I thought it was really good. It was really well presented. A lot of work had obviously gone into the making of it. And the content was good. I liked the music that they had got. I liked the backgrounds that had been used, full of all different drugs and things. I thought overall it was a really well-made programme. I think it was pitched just right.”
“...I like the non-judgemental part. I haven’t seen that before in ... a video of this kind. So yeah, that was interesting. It’s like the presenter doesn’t try and stop you from doing anything. It’s like, if you’re gonna do it, then here’s things to consider and how you can stay safe.”
“I really liked the bit on consent and I think that is a big issue. Just in society and if you look at students nowadays when lines are blurred and things like that. And you can hear all of these stories and talk to people and everyone has experiences of things that nearly happened or did happen. And so I think that is a really important topic to include, and not something I expected when first opening the course.”
“It is so relevant in a university student’s life as it comes up in all of these different aspects. But it is obviously great to have awareness about it. And I think that is something not everyone has good access to information at the start. I think this course can definitely provide a large chunk of that information. Because it felt like it had a lot more research than some of the sites I was visiting. So I think the programme definitely dealt with that well and it helped me a lot. And I think it’s applicable to students all around the world.”
“I guess because you don’t feel judged for anything that you have done. And it’s more relatable. And if someone tells you not to do something, you just think, well, why? And also, it might just make you think I’m going to do it anyway. But if it is just giving you information, you can kind of make your own decision. You can make an informed choice about it.”
“I think this programme was more than passing any judgement as to whether they are good or bad. It can be anything you want it to be. But this is the information you need to know before you are consuming or as you are consuming.”
Submit Your Testimonial
Please feel free to contact us with your thoughts on the Staying Safe Programme - use the form or contact us directly at the email address below. Your feedback is appreciated and helps us to refine our course.
Professor Adam R Winstock
Consultant Psychiatrist
Addiction Medicine Specialist
Founder, Staying Safer Ltd
adam@stayingsafer.com