Guidelines for use
To help you to choose appropriate publications our catalogue includes specific information about the aims, the intended audience and the contents of each publication. Where space permits, this information will also be included on all new publications and on existing publications as they are reprinted.
Specific aims
The aims symbol will inform you of the specific aims underpinning each publication.
Intended audience and age range
The audience symbol indicates the intended audience and the intended age range for each publication.
Young people aged 13-17 in schools and youth club settings:
These publications have been specifically designed for use in schools. We still recommend that all of our publications are read thoroughly before they are given out.Young people engaged in recreational drug use (or other specified drug):
These publications are specifically aimed at those young people who are currently engaged in some form of illicit drug use. They have been used in a variety of settings including schools.Use with under 16s with support:
Because of the style and content of these leaflets, Lifeline recommend that these publications are used with under 16s only with the direct approval and constant supervision of an appropriate adult. For example - youth worker, teacher, school nurse, drugs worker, parent.(Defining an age range is reasonably straightforward with some publications for others it is not. A publication that contains detailed information on injecting drugs is clearly not suitable for use in schools with a class of 13 year olds; however, when confronted with a 13 year old injector who is in danger because of their injecting technique, the publication may form an entirely appropriate part of a wider intervention.)
Specific Groups:
These publications are designed for specific groups of people in specific settings. They may not be suitable for a general audience. Lifeline recommends that they only be used with under 16s in a clinical, therapeutic or other appropriate setting and by organisations with guidelines for working with under 16s. The publications will clearly state the intended audience and, where appropriate, further define the age range.Parents:
These publications are designed for parents and carers.Injecting drug users:
These are designed for people already engaged in injecting drug use and should only be used with this group. Lifeline recommends that they only be used with under 16s in a clinical, therapeutic or other appropriate setting and by organisations for working with under 16s.
Content - swearing and explicit imagery
The content symbol will inform of any swearing or explicit imagery used in a publication. Swearing is used in many of our publications as both a reflection of real patterns of speech, to describe sexual practices and as a method of reaching those who are distrustful of 'official' types of literature. Many of our publications contain explicit imagery, some of this drug related, some sexual. When a publication uses extreme language or imagery, it will contain a warning on the front cover.