Beyond Awareness: Our Reflection After the Drug Awareness Session (Grade 9 MYP Narrative)

The drug awareness session we attended recently wasn’t just another school talk—it was a moment that made us pause, reflect, and think deeply about choices, influence, and responsibility. 

As Grade 9 MYP students, we often discuss real-world issues in our classrooms, but hearing about substance abuse and its impact from experts made the topic feel immediate and real. It was not presented with fear, but with facts, stories, and honest conversations about how easily young people can be exposed to harmful influences. 

What stayed with us most was understanding how addiction doesn’t begin with intention—it often begins with curiosity, peer pressure, or a moment of vulnerability. The session helped us see how important awareness, support systems, and informed choices are in protecting ourselves and others. 

As IB learners, reflection is central to our growth. After the session, many of us discussed how education should move beyond awareness into action. We don’t want this to remain a one-time talk. We want it to become a student-led campaign—something that spreads awareness, encourages conversations, and supports peers who may be struggling silently. 

Through Service as Action, we are now thinking of ways to: 

• create awareness campaigns within school 

• design student-led discussions 

• collaborate with counsellors and community experts 

• use media responsibly to spread positive messaging 

This experience reminded us that being globally minded also means being socially responsible. Issues like substance abuse affect communities everywhere, and change begins with awareness and empathy. 

The session didn’t just inform us—it empowered us. It made us realise that our voices matter, our choices matter, and our actions can influence others positively. 

As MYP students at Manchester, we don’t just learn about the world—we learn to care for it, question it, and take action when it needs us.