Clear message about behaviour

ENGLAND – Schools minister Diana Johnson has launched a consultation on new guidance for schools to ensure that teachers, parents and the government are working together to send out a clear message that drug, alcohol and tobacco misuse among young people is unacceptable and could damage their futures.

The minister said that schools play a crucial role in tackling drug misuse and supporting young people. It is important for schools to educate pupils about all kinds of drugs; including medicines, tobacco and alcohol as well as classified illegal drugs.

As well as giving advice on how to handle drugs education in the classroom, the guidance stresses the importance of schools having clear policies in place to deal with incidents with illegal drugs and alcohol on school premises.

Heads are also encouraged to forge stronger links with other local services to help them better identify and support over a million children and young people who live with one or both parents who have a drug or alcohol problem.

The guidance will also encourage teachers and families to work more closely together, so that clear and consistent messages are given out both at home and at school.

Ms Johnson said: “Drug and alcohol education is vital, and we know that the majority of schools are doing a great job in talking to pupils about the dangers of illegal drugs. This has contributed to the steady decline in young people’s drug use since 2001.

“I am pleased this new guidance offers more advice on alcohol, because while the proportion of teenagers who drink regularly is falling, those who do drink are drinking more. Tackling drug and alcohol misuse in schools is therefore crucial.

“But education can’t just happen in the classroom, and this new guidance challenges schools to work more closely with parents so children get clear and consistent messages – both at home and at school.

“All school-aged children need good drugs education, and that means drugs education appropriate to their age and maturity. So, for example, in primary school children should be learning about medicines and how they can affect the body, while in secondary school, young people should be introduced to the law relating to drugs and how substances like alcohol, tobacco and cannabis can damage their mental and physical health.”

The new guidance will help support schools to put together their drug and alcohol curriculum until September 2011 when PSHE – which includes drug, alcohol and sex and relationships education – is expected to become a compulsory subject for all school aged children in England. This guidance will then form the basis of new guidance on statutory drugs education as part of PSHE.

The revised guidance also in part fulfils a commitment from the Youth Alcohol Action Plan to implement the recommendations of the drug and alcohol education review, and outlines the Chief Medical Officer’s advice and key guidelines on young people and alcohol, announced earlier this year.