Shared Responsibility

Shared Responsibilty School Project Wins Educational Award

Written by The Carrick Gazette Wednesday, 22 April 2009 00:00

Girvan drug busters

Academy scoops Young Scot award for project

PUPILS from Girvan Academy have picked up a Young Scot award 2009 for their work on a project aimed at reducing the demand for class A drugs in Scotland.

Three 16-year-olds - Marianne Logan, Francesca Capaldi and Stephen Scholes – won the community award for their role in the 'Shared Responsibility' project.

Speaking after picking up the Young Scot award, Marianne Logan said: "I am absolutely ecADVERTISEMENTstatic. It has inspired us to do more work on the project and not stop here."

The Shared Responsibility project is run by pupils at Girvan Academy with the support of the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency (SCDEA) and the Colombian government. It aims to reduce the demand for cocaine by highlighting the impact of cocaine production on communities in Colombia through violence, corruption and environmental damage and pollution.

As project co-ordinators, Marianne, Francesca and Stephen have been responsible for driving the project within the school and have developed and adapted a number of elements for pupils within every year, including an interactive buddy scheme with a school in Colombia, short story writing and artwork depicting the damage to people, wildlife and the environment by cocaine production in Colombia, and production of a short film which highlights the impact cocaine use has on Scotland as a consumer nation.

Gareth Rae, Principal Teacher at Girvan Academy said: "Marianne, Francesca and Stephen have worked exceptionally hard on this project and have demonstrated tremendous enthusiasm and creativity in getting pupils at all levels involved.

"Pupils from all years have really engaged with this project and in doing so have learned a great deal about all the issues. The practical involvement with the project has encouraged pupils to think about being responsible citizens and the value of their personal contribution to tackling global issues.

"The whole school is absolutely delighted about winning this award – it is fantastic recognition of all the hard work the pupils have put in and provides some added inspiration for future work."

Detective Chief Supt Alan Moffat at the SCDEA, which has helped pupils take charge of the project, said: "The school has been extremely positive about supporting this project and the pupils have been extremely enthusiastic and innovative about developing the project further so that everyone can learn from it.

"The pupils have demonstrated a real understanding of the issues involved with drugs misuse and serious organised crime by taking those issues and interpreting them in ways which other young people can easily engage with.

"We're delighted their efforts have been recognised with this award. Their commitment to the project truly underlines the difference that young people can make to these important issues."

Girvan Academy began the Shared Responsibility project in June 2008.