Simon: We have yes. We've been working very closely for a good number of months now with the Amy Whitehouse Foundation. We share the same aspiration around making sure there's appropriate education and information in the school system to enable young people to make the right kind of choices about drug and alcohol misuse. The real uniqueness of this programme which we're starting in 50 schools across the country is that it's not just about education and informing children and young people, it's also about helping teachers understand the whole issue of drug and alcohol misuse and their role in supporting their pupils. It's also helping and informing the parents and also recognising that when you do work with young people, there's a risk that some of those young people are affected by drug misuse or alcohol misuse in their family and something needs to be done specifically with that group as well. It's a comprehensive offer in terms of educational support.

Emily: How does this programme deliver this?

Simon: I think the first and most important thing is that we recognize the vast majority of young people want to know more about these things; they want to make the right kind of choices and it's not that you need to go up and just say to young people, this is about saying no. It's about educating them about the risks with the kind of choices that they have in their lives and helping them make more informed and engaged choices. The word that we use in terms of the development programme is about building young people's resilience so that they can understand that when they hit those difficult situations, they've got some choices to make. It's also then picking out those young people who are more at risk from getting involved themselves, or their parents are involved in substance misuse and working intensively with them. I think that's what makes the difference, having that service joined up in that way.

Emily: What do you think the younger generation need when it's delivered?

Simon: I suppose what they need is some honesty. One of the things that we've integrated into this programme is a session run by people in recovery themselves; people who've been through the drug and alcohol treatment system and got themselves clean and are no longer dependent on drugs or alcohol, who share their experience. Not only do they share their experience about the risks and the consequences associated with drug and alcohol misuse, but how they could, if certain things were done in their lives, how they could have probably changed the way they made particular choices. It's enabling young people to see those triggers and then ask for support when they need it.

Emily: How would you say this programme that you're offering is different to other secondary school programmes in the past?

Simon: I think it's different because it takes that comprehensive approach. It recognises that if you're going to make a difference across a year group in a school or across a whole school, then it's not just about educating and informing the children and young people, it's about educating and informing the teachers and the parents and making sure that they're all part of the process. Then it's about working specifically with those young people who are at risk as well, so you may do a comprehensive programme to all children and young people, but actually those at risk have extra tailored provision as well.

Emily: How can people find out more about Addaction?

Simon: I think they should certainly come on our website www.addaction.org.uk where there's all the information about our services and support across the UK, but also specific information about our partnership with the Amy Whitehouse Foundation around the education programme.