Lower 5 pupils recently attended the powerful and thought-provoking theatre production I Love You, Mum – I Promise I Won’t Die, delivered by Wizard Theatre. The performance forms part of the school’s ongoing commitment to educating pupils about substance use, risk awareness, and making safe, informed choices.

The production is based on the true story of Daniel Spargo-Mabbs, a bright and kind 16-year-old student. Daniel attended a house party with friends, where he took MDMA (ecstasy) for the first time. Unaware of the strength or contents of the drug, he became seriously unwell shortly afterwards. Despite the efforts of friends, paramedics and hospital staff, Daniel died several days later. His tragic death highlights the unpredictable nature of illegal substances and how even a single decision can have irreversible consequences.

Daniel’s story is told through the perspective of his family, friends and those who cared for him, showing not only the events of that night but also the devastating impact on everyone around him. The performance emphasises that Daniel was an ordinary teenager with a loving family, hopes for the future, and much to look forward to – making his story all the more powerful and relatable for young audiences.

Following the performance, pupils took part in an interactive workshop which provided practical advice on recognising risky situations, managing peer pressure, supporting friends, and knowing where to seek help. The session reinforced the importance of making informed decisions and understanding that illegal substances often contain unknown and dangerous ingredients.

The experience left a lasting impression on pupils and prompted thoughtful reflection.

Elise shared: “The most important thing I learnt was that you never know what is in the drugs you are taking. It encouraged me to want to promote change and made me even emotional at times. I was shocked about what things get put in the drugs, such as rat poison or spice in vapes, and astonished that dealers would put that in drugs even though they know the dangers and consequences. The drug talk made me confident about making safer choices, as there was a lot of useful information with some real-life stories as well. A fact that stayed with me was that you never really know what is in the drug and how your body could react to it.”

Daisy reflected on the emotional impact of the performance and the importance of knowing how to stay safe: “The talk left me feeling more aware of the consequences of drugs using a real-life scenario. The talk afterwards was also helpful in understanding where to go for help if you ever needed it about drugs regarding yourself and others. I found the play and the talk helpful in understanding drugs in different ways. The scene with the train and the water bottle with drugs in it helped convey the message of peer pressure, and the talk outlined ways in which we could get out of that situation safely. The most important thing I learnt from the talk was to not take drugs and find someone who looks kind in your surroundings to help you if you or your friends ever needed it.”

Charlie has also shared: “After the performance and workshop, I felt more confident about being able to keep myself safe and make the right decisions, as there was a very clear message throughout that showed the serious effects drugs can have. The story about Dan really stayed with me, and I was shocked by how deeply it affected everyone around him.”

Through powerful storytelling and open discussion, the production helped pupils understand the real-life consequences of substance misuse and empowered them with the knowledge and confidence to make safer choices. Experiences such as this play an important role in supporting pupils’ wellbeing and ensuring they are equipped to navigate challenges safely and responsibly.