We use cookies to enhance your visit. By continuing to browse you are agreeing to our use of cookies. About Our Cookies

| Name: | Jade Clement |
| Age: | 16 |
| Year of the fix: | 2012 |
| Location: | Poole, Dorset |
| Campaign: | Warn of the effects of cannabis |
Until a short time ago, I used to smoke cannabis.
I got into drugs through school. Some people I knew did it, so why couldn’t I? It all seemed like fun at first, trying something new and fitting in, but I could never anticipate the person I would become.
Sometimes I would just smoke weed in my bedroom, with the world passing by outside. I did not think anything was wrong, but it was causing my life to fall apart.
I lost all my friends, including some of my best friends, because I took drugs. When my family found out, I lost a lot of trust with the people I loved the most.
I was missing out on so much. Teenagers do not get told the blunt truth of drugs, but I have been through it and I want to show them that you can become a monster on drugs, and this hurts everyone around you.
Working with Fixers, I am producing a film warning of the dangers of cannabis use. It is destructive.
I want to show that while people maybe are curious about drugs, it is not worth the risk of taking the drugs. I want to take this to parents and teachers also, to show them about drug misuse, because they can be very judgemental about drug abuse.
Drugs are not about gangsters and glamour. The real problem is addiction. It is not cool and big. It is dangerous and not worth getting involved in.
A lot of people helped me get this project together. They include:
Nicole Baker (18)
Catherine Williams (18)
Jack Dunford (18)
Alex Wingrove (17)
Elizabeth Grace Stefonec (17)
The local police force are behind my project, and PC Geoff Calloway attended my first workshop:
“I think for Jade to be able to take her own personal experiences and pass them on to other young people is a very, very strong message."
EDAS - Essential Drugs and Alcohol Support
A Dorset based charity who are supporting my project
Poole Young Adults Drug & Alcohol Service (YADAS)
After watching Jade’s initial presentation, Andy Holguette of Poole Young Adults Drug & Alcohol Service (YADAS) said: “The important thing about Jade’s presentation today, it’s a young person telling her story - the best way for other young people to learn is though other young people.”
Stop Think Dorset
A collaborative partnership between Dorset Police, Dorset County Council, Bournemouth Borough Council and the Borough of Poole to increase community confidence and cohesion
Bournemouth and Poole Youth Offending Service
A service which aims to prevent offending by children and young people
Creekmoor Youth Centre (Poole):
Thank you to all the staff who helped provide an area for my presentation, and thanks to all those who attended also
On the back of my initial presentation to 20 people, I have done three presentations to a total of nine young people about the dangers of drugs and, on each occasion, I have shown my Fixers film to the audience. These workshops have been set up with the help of the Essential Drug and Alcohol Service (EDAS).
Young people who have attended Jade’s workshops have said:
“I’ve never really thought about taking them, I don’t really want to, but after the story she told me, I definitely don’t want to.”
“It was very good as I know quite a few people who smoke it. She spoke about an experience - in school it’s just more or less facts about the drugs.”
Plans are in place for me to do further presentations alongside the Bournemouth and Poole Youth Offending Service but this is awaiting funding.
December 2012:
I sent a letter to Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and her MP Robert Syms in light of a national debate concerning drugs law reform.
27th November 2012:
With the help of the Bournemouth Youth Offending Service, I gave a series of presentations which debuted my film
3rd October 2012:
My story was featured in the Bournemouth Echo. You can read the story here.
My piece was featured on ITV Meridian News (West region). You can rewatch this piece below in the links
Fixers Celebrate First Broadcasts
5th Oct 2012
Jade's anti-Cannabis Campaign on ITV
3rd Oct 2012
Jade Hosts Her First Workshop
20th Sep 2012
The Truth About Cannabis
3rd Sep 2012

Fixers is a project of the Public Service Broadcasting Trust, funded by the National Lottery through the Big Lottery Fund, and featured on ITV.

