Equipping Teens for Life Beyond School
Honest Conversations About Substance Use
Bangkok Patana had the privilege of hosting Hope McMahan and Morgan Jones from PreventionEd. Hope and Morgan are global prevention specialists dedicated to helping young people make informed, healthy choices around substance use. Both bring a wealth of expertise and lived experience, having achieved healthy recovery themselves—giving their message authenticity and real-world relevance.
Rather than delivering lectures, their sessions are built on dialogue and evidence. They unpack the latest research on how substances affect the teenage brain and body, creating space for honest conversations that resonate far more than traditional approaches.
During their visit, Hope and Morgan led interactive workshops for Years 9 and 10, presented to Years 8, 11, 12 and 13, and hosted open Q&A sessions. They also provided training for Secondary staff and ran a parent workshop. Topics were tailored to the realities of life in Bangkok, covering alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, energy drinks, and even online gambling. For Years 12 and 13, the focus shifted to preparing for university life—equipping students with strategies to navigate situations involving substances and make confident, informed decisions.
