Dunfermline Police Scotland Youth Volunteers (PSYV) have unveiled a new campaign that highlights the growing issue of drug dealing through mobile devices among young people. This initiative is part of an 18-month screen education programme titled ‘On Trend,’ where youth volunteers created the ‘Online High’ film in collaboration with YouthLink Scotland (No Knives, Better Lives – NKBL) and Barnardo’s Fife Substance Use Education Team.
The ‘Online High’ film sheds light on the troubling trend of mobile-based drug distribution among young people, reflecting recent patterns in social media use and drug-related harm. Through this campaign, the aim is to raise awareness of the consequences of both consuming and supplying harmful substances online.
The PSYV youth volunteers in Dunfermline have been at the heart of this project, taking part in workshops and learning the art of filmmaking through the ‘On Trend’ screen education programme. This hands-on approach allowed them to express their creative voices while developing technical filmmaking skills under the guidance of industry professionals. The practical workshops not only focused on filmmaking but also covered criminal, social, and wellbeing trends impacting local communities.
This initiative was made possible through the support of Screen Scotland, Fife Council, Carnegie Dunfermline Trust, and Cashback for Communities. The ‘Online High’ film and accompanying educational toolkit will be delivered across schools, youth groups, and community settings throughout Fife, with hopes of expanding the campaign nationally.
The educational toolkit, co-developed by YouthLink Scotland and Barnardo’s Fife Substance Use Education Team, is designed for practitioners working with young people. It contains activities to help address online drug use and the associated risks of online harm.
The film and toolkit are part of the broader Safer Dunfermline approach, which brings together volunteers, community groups, and partner organisations to address local safety concerns collaboratively.
Constable Scott Morgan, PSYV Coordinator, praised the youth volunteers for their dedication:
“I’m so proud of the work these young people have put into this campaign and the fantastic material they’ve produced. We let the volunteers decide what they wanted to focus on, and this issue stood out to them. It’s vital we listen to the concerns of young people in our community and deliver messaging they can relate to.”
Macy Chatham, Head Youth Volunteer, shared her motivation behind the project:
“We were really passionate about this campaign because it’s an issue we’ve seen firsthand. Social media plays a huge role in the distribution of drugs, and with most of us having access to phones, it’s something many might encounter. We hope this film raises awareness and reduces drug-related harm in schools and our communities.”
YouthLink Scotland played a key role in the creation of the educational toolkit that complements the film. Tim Frew, CEO of YouthLink Scotland, highlighted the significance of the project:
“At YouthLink Scotland, we believe in a youth work approach that empowers young people to address the challenges they face in their communities. The ‘Online High’ project is a fantastic example of how co-creating solutions with young people can raise awareness of critical issues like online drug dealing. By giving them a platform to share their experiences and using creative mediums such as film, we are not only providing space to learn together but also inspiring others to take action. Our partnership in this project showcases the power of youth work in building resilience, creativity, and a sense of responsibility among young people.”