The DSM Foundation, a drug education charity, has announced the launch of their refreshed values – Compassion, Connection, and Quality. These values define the foundation’s identity and guide their work in preventing harm to young people from drugs. The announcement was made on Tuesday 27 May, 2025, which marks the birthday of the young boy whose tragic death inspired the foundation.
Founded in 2014 by the family of Daniel Spargo-Mabbs, who lost his life to an accidental overdose of ecstasy, the DSM Foundation is dedicated to preventing similar tragedies from occurring. The foundation’s aim is to provide young people with relevant, evidence-based information about drugs, empowering them to make safe and informed decisions. Currently, the foundation works with almost 750 schools, colleges, and community organizations, providing workshops for parents and caregivers, as well as training for school staff.
The foundation’s values of Compassion, Connection, and Quality were developed after careful consideration and reflection by the trustees and team. These values reflect the organization’s approach to young people and their belief that harm can and must be prevented. As stated by the foundation, “Everything we do is driven by compassion.” They prioritize a non-judgmental, trauma-informed, and respectful approach, recognizing the unique strengths and vulnerabilities of adolescence.
Additionally, the foundation stresses the importance of connection in their work. They strive to establish meaningful connections with young people, as well as with influential adults in their lives, such as parents and teachers. The foundation also aims to create strong connections with organizations and stakeholders, recognizing that their work is most effective when done together.
Finally, quality is a vital aspect of the foundation’s work. They ensure that their practices are evidence-based, evaluated, and validated, using reliable data and research. They also seek feedback from young people to continually improve their effectiveness. As stated by the foundation, “It’s too important not to do it as well as it can be done – we may only get one opportunity to make a difference to any one young person.”
The DSM Foundation is a small charity with a big heart, known as “Team Dan”. Their values of Compassion, Connection, and Quality drive their work and define their identity. The foundation also provides a variety of resources, including a verbatim play about Dan’s story and age-appropriate lesson plans, to schools and colleges. For more information about the DSM Foundation and their work, visit their website at https://www.dsmfoundation.org.uk/.
Media inquiries about this press release or the work of the DSM Foundation can be directed to media@dsmfoundation.org.uk.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.