Drug Education News

From a report on The Daily Snack based on some survey work done by Christian Research (which doesn’t appear to be on their website):

“there was some good news for the Government in the survey. It revealed that the number of those polled who smoked had fallen from 24% in 1997 to 18%.
But drug and alcohol [...]

We are often asked if drug education changes the behaviour of those who receive it, and that’s a question that we find it difficult to find empirical evidence to answer.
In that context I thought that this discussion paper from the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit on Personal Responsibility and Changing Behaviour from February 2004 might make [...]

The Guardian amongst others report moves to stop young people being prescribed certain types of drugs:
“Doctors were yesterday told to stop giving antidepressants to children and people under 18, because of the risks that the pills will make them feel suicidal. The new NHS guidance marks a watershed in the treatment of children’s mental health. [...]

The latest edition of Drug Education Quarterly is available for download and includes amongst other things, an article I’ve written on visitors in school, a piece on drug prevention in vulnerable young people, and a perspective on Volatile Substance Abuse.

The Sunday Times are pointing to some findings from Addaction:
“THE number of children treated for mental disorders caused by smoking cannabis has quadrupled since the government downgraded the legal status of the drug, according to a leading drug charity.
Since April last year, three months after police stopped arresting anyone found in possession of small amounts [...]

Australian concerns about energy drink consumption by children:

“According to the ACA [Australian Consumer Association] most adults can safely consume 300mg of caffeine a day but children are advised to stay away from caffeine as they can experience disturbed sleep patterns, bed-wetting and anxiety. Most energy drinks carry labels warning they are not suitable for children.”

In [...]

n-e-life.com report on the poisonous garden at Alnwich Garden in Northumberland:

“Demonstrating how plants have poisoned and killed through the ages, the Poison Garden provides an alternative avenue for teachers and parents to instigate discussion and increase awareness about the misuse of drugs.
The Duchess of Northumberland, trustee of The Alnwick Garden Trust, which manages The Alnwick [...]

The Guardian run the story of Peter Walker’s retirement:
“A headteacher who helped pioneer the country’s first random drugs testing scheme in a state school has announced he is to retire next spring.”
Mr Walker says:
“The only thing that has surprised me is that more schools haven’t taken it up yet.”
As Ofsted have found most schools [...]

NCB has been commissioned by DfES to undertake a scoping exercise to ascertain whether and how a National PSHE Teaching Association might help support the development of high quality PSHE.
As part of this exercise we are seeking the views of all those involved in delivering and supporting PSHE. We would be grateful if you could [...]

Richard Ives, of educari reviews the recent NCB book on calls to Childline about Volatile Substance Abuse.
Richard while welcoming the attention that the book brings to the subject area and recognising the harrowing accounts of some of the young people’s experience is quite critical of the analysis:

Another drawback of this report is its tendency to [...]