A drug is a substance that people take to change the way they feel, think or behave. It can be legal such as medicine or illegal such as cannabis.

Medicines. All pupils need to develop competency in managing medication. In primary schools the focus will be on being safe with medicines. In secondary schools this can be expanded to knowing more about the effects and risks of drugs and drug addiction which can include addiction and misuse of prescribed medication.

Illegal drugs. Education about illegal drugs needs to start in key stage 2 and continue through secondary school. Cannabis is most common illegal drug used by 11-15 year olds and it is important for schools to reinforce the message that cannabis is harmful to health and that it is illegal. In areas of the city where the use of particular drugs is associated with gangs and crime it is especially important for teachers to focus on thse issues.

Drug related incidents. Schools need to consider their response to drug misuse, by pupils or staff, and have a policy on how to manage drug-related incidents.

For individual school support please contact Kathy Bird or Tony Ayers, Education Advisers. The HES also run courses on

• practical ideas for teaching about drug and alcohol education
• management of drug and alcohol related incidents.

Alcohol is the most widely used drug in the western world. Alcohol education is a priority for schools and all drug education programmes must include alcohol education. The aim of alcohol education is to reduce the harm associated with pupils' own drinking and the drinking of others.

Whilst it is legal to consume, alcohol has the potential to harm, particularly when consumed in large amounts and in combination with other drugs. There are also the consequences of driving whilst under the influence of alcohol and other risk taking behaviour that may increase whilst drinking.

For support to develop an effective alcohol education programme please contact Kathy Bird, Education Adviser.

Tobacco education should be on providing information and developing attitudes and skills which will help pupils to NOT start smoking and to support those who want to stop.

Volatile Substances education needs to start from an early age and give pupils an accurate picture of hte harmful effects of VSA including the risk of sudden death.

For support for your school please contact Kathy Bird, Education Adviser.

Schools, settings and services need to have an effective drug education programme. We can help you to develop this, for example:

1. Meeting with SLT and/or PSHE lead to assess and discuss drug, alcohol and tobacco education and managing drug related incidents, then
2. Three twilights (or 2 sessions could be combined in a half day) on drug awareness, curriculum development, policy development.
3. Governor session on legal responsibilities on drug education and 

4. Parent drug awareness sessions and/or policy consultation

For details of support for your school, setting or service  please

	Contact Kathy Bird, Education Adviser
	Contact Tony Ayers, Education Adviser