Ecstasy: Knowing the dangers

Twenty years ago the image of Leah Betts lying in her hospital bed came to symbolise the dangers of ecstasy.

Leah died after taking the drug while celebrating her 18th birthday.

In many ways the image worked as ecstasy deaths fell, as did the popularity of the drug.

But two decades on there's a new generation unaware of Leah's name or this image and many are naive to the dangers of ecstasy.

At Blackmore Park Infant School drug awareness starts early. The children in this class are six-years-old and already getting messages about harm reduction.

While they're not spoken to specifically about Class A drugs, they're given important messages about medicines and the dangers of taking pills which, to young eyes, can look like sweets.

Teacher Clare Pedersen said:

That's a philosophy shared by drugs awareness charity Mentor UK

They've been piloting a programme here in the North West called the Good Behaviour Game which aims to fill the gap where some traditional drug education lessons are failing.

Particularly as drug education is not compulsory in schools.

Michael O'Toole from Mentor UK said:

But its not just schools who have the potential to inform. Hilary Bass lost her son Gary to ecstasy four years ago, and believe there is a need for a new awareness campaign.

Hilary said:

Politically and morally there are questions over that

But like with Leah Betts, those in favour say if further deaths are to be reduced, we need to have that conversation.