School visits leaves youngsters with a ‘Natural High’
Friday, March 14 2008
The anti-drugs ‘Natural High’ tour featuring songwriter and vocalist, David Graham returned to the Scottish Borders for its second successive year this week (10-14 March) visiting S1 pupils in all nine secondary schools in the region.
The highly interactive tour is based around David’s own song 'Natural High’ and is about making the most of your life and using your talents to get a high instead of the fake high from drugs.
David captivates pupils on stage by performing a range of songs to give his audiences the serious message – ‘you don’t need drugs to get high’. The presentation, which includes music, competitions and a positive healthy lifestyle message has helped win awards such as a Silver Sony Award in conjunction with an independent radio station.
David explained what he is trying to achieve through his performances: “The show is about building youngsters’ self-esteem and making them realise their full potential which I hope will steer them away from taking drugs. They all have a wide variety of abilities and it is important for them to realise this at this crucial age and remember this message for the future. By focusing on their natural talents – it will give them a high that no chemical can ever do.”
David has performed in more than 3000 schools throughout the UK and his message has been given to over one million students on a national level. The show is encouraged locally by the Scottish Borders Community Safety Partnership.
Chairman of the Community Safety Partnership, Councillor Alec Nicol is encouraged to see such an innovative approach taken towards addressing attitudes towards drugs: “The Community Safety Partnership, in conjunction with other partners, is constantly looking at new methods of addressing local issues. The Natural High Programme is an excellent example. This tour allows school pupils to identify other means of achieving a high and encourages young people to make an alternative choice. We fully support David’s tour. He is without a doubt a real inspiration to our young people. We will be very keen to bring him back again next year.”
Headteacher at Earlston High School, Michelle Strong, said: “I think David is excellent. He actively builds up the pupils to a level where they are genuinely enjoying themselves and keeps them there throughout the whole show to portray how they can enjoy their own natural talents. He challenged pupils creatively and gave them lots of opportunities to get involved and I hope to welcome him back to the school in the near future.”
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