The SHADOW (Sexual Health and Drugs Outreach Work) project, based in Coventry , focuses on education and prevention work with young people in the fields of Sex and Relationship Education (SRE), sexual health, teenage pregnancy, drugs, smoking and healthy lifestyles.

The main aim of the SHADOW project is about ensuring that young people have current and relevant information regarding their health needs and that enable them to make informed choices about the range of health issues that affect them.

SHADOW workshops and programmes are also aimed at developing young people's self esteem and confidence so that they are able to assert their own choices and resist peer pressures to engage in risk taking behaviours.”

This week, Holly from the SHADOW project spent a parade with the cadets from 163 (Coventry Phoenix) Squadron, focusing on drug awareness. The cadets were given lots of accurate information about drugs they had heard about and many they hadn't. They looked at the effects these have on the body and mind through some group work and a short but hard hitting DVD. Drug boxes were passed around the cadets so they could see what various drugs look like and how they are administered. Holly also ensured the cadets were well informed of what to do and where they could go if they or a friend had a problem or needed advice.

As shown in the photographs, the effects of smoking and alcohol were also discussed. Cadets were shown the ‘tar in a jar', the equivalent of what builds up on a smokers' lungs. They were also invited to wear the ‘beer goggles' which realistically simulate the effects of alcohol on the body's co-ordination. Cadets were invited to throw and catch foam balls whilst wearing them which provided amusement.