Ex-heroin addict · Ex-gang leader · Ex-prisoner
Hard-Hitting Drug Awareness Talks for Schools
Paul Hannaford injected heroin and crack up to 50 times a day. He was stabbed seven times, had 15 convictions by 16, and doctors wanted to cut his leg off. Clean since 2009, he now shows young people exactly what drugs, gangs and knives do to you. No sugar-coating.
- Over 1,000,000 young people told the truth
- Real photos. Real scars. Real consequences.
- Schools, PRUs, youth groups & football clubs
Book Paul for your school or group
Three quick steps. Paul will come back to you personally.
No sugar-coating
This is what heroin did to Paul’s body
Paul shows these photos in his talks. They are real, and so are the scars. His legs have never healed.
What Paul talks about
The truth about drugs, gangs & knives
No lectures and no scare stories, just Paul’s own life. Young people hear about the crack dens, the stab wounds and the friends who died, from someone who lived it.
Inspiring young people
Paul’s Work
Paul doesn’t lecture. He tells young people, parents and professionals exactly what drugs, alcohol, knife crime, gangs and prison did to his life, and to the four friends from his gang who died of heroin overdoses.
Since leaving rehab in 2009 he has told his story to over 1,000,000 young people across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and speaks in prisons and young offenders institutions to help break the cycle of reoffending.
Schools
Primary and secondary assemblies, workshops and year group talks
Young people
Youth centres, pupil referral units and young offenders
Parents
Parents’ evenings that help families spot the warning signs
Professionals
Teacher conferences, police and the medical profession
Football clubs
Community programmes run by professional clubs
Prisons & probation
Talks in prisons and YOIs to help break the cycle of reoffending
Across the UK
Where Paul has spoken
From Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to schools, colleges and prisons across England, Paul has told his story to over 1,000,000 young people. Here are just a few of the places that have booked him.
Read Paul’s story
Paul’s Book: The Unconscious Kid
From a happy, football-mad boy in East London to a heroin addict living in crack dens, Paul tells the whole story in his own words.
The King’s New Year Honours
Awarded the British Empire Medal
Paul was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to the community by His Majesty the King in the New Year Honours announced on 31 December 2024, and was invited to Buckingham Palace.
His work has also been recognised by Ron Dobson, Commissioner of the London Fire Brigade, and with the StreetChance Award at Lord’s Cricket Ground for the drugs and knife crime talks he delivers with Queens Park Rangers.
What people say
Trusted by schools, colleges & clubs
Paul has a unique ability to engage with hard to reach young people and educate them on the dangers of drugs. His story has saved many young people from a life of crime.
He has proven to be an arresting speaker at both KS3 and 4. He has a natural presence and approachable manner in regard to young people. His talks are both informative and powerful.
Feedback has been excellent, students said “we have had drug talks at school, but nothing as informative as Paul’s talk”.
In the community
Who Paul has worked with
Paul has given talks with the community programmes of professional football clubs and with organisations across London and the South East.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Who is Paul Hannaford?
Paul Hannaford is a former drug addict who spent over 20 years caught up in drugs, gangs and crime. He left rehab in 2009 and now gives drug awareness talks and workshops to schools, colleges, youth groups and football clubs across the UK.
What topics do Paul’s talks cover?
Paul covers drugs and addiction, alcohol, knife and gun crime, gangs and county lines, bullying, peer pressure and prison life. Talks are based on his own experiences.
What ages are the talks suitable for?
Paul speaks to young people from around age 7 through to young adults, from Year 4 up to sixth form. He tailors the message to each age group, giving younger pupils a gentler version of his story.
How long is a workshop?
A typical workshop lasts around 45 minutes, with around 15 minutes for questions and answers.
Is there a fee?
Paul is not a charity and is not funded, so there is a fee for his workshops. Talks for primary schools in the London Borough of Havering, where Paul grew up, are free of charge. Call 07886 259128 to discuss your booking.
Where does Paul deliver talks?
Paul travels throughout the UK, including Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, visiting primary and secondary schools, colleges, youth centres, prisons, young offenders institutions and football club community projects. He is based in Essex and works regularly across London, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent and Surrey. See the areas Paul covers.