Report
to the People
28th
October 2002
Know the Score
The story of drug abuse rarely has a happy ending.
Whether using, dealing, or both, a dependency on drugs risks bringing your life to an early, impoverished and no-doubt violent end. And it’s no fairytale for your friends, family and community, all of whom you will hurt or damage in some way.
These simple facts about drugs, though, can all too often be muddied by the myths and half-truths which are common currency in playgrounds, on street corners and, indeed, in some branches of the media. It is important, then, that we arm the next generation with the knowledge they need to make informed judgements.
Key to this is drug education in schools. The latest figures, which were published earlier this month, therefore make pleasant reading. They show that the number of pupils receiving drug education is continuing to rise. 98% of all schools now provide drug education, compared to 97% last year. And for local authority schools, this figure is even higher at 99%.
But, for the second year running, Inverclyde gets a special mention.
Every single pupil at every single one of our primary schools will receive drug education. Every single one of those pupils will also get the facts on alcohol, smoking, solvent abuse and the safe use of medicines. And the education provided to every single pupil in every single school is in line with current national advice.
This is a record of which we can justly be proud and for which the Education Department deserves our praise.
But school is not the only place where our children can learn about drugs. The message from the classroom can be reinforced at home, at football training, or dancing lessons. And if those of us who grew up in what was, by today’s standards, a fairly drug free world, feel unqualified for this, there is now plenty straightforward information available to help us.
And of course education on its own – no matter how good or widespread – is not enough to win the fight against drugs. Cracking down on supply, treating addicts and addressing the root causes of abuse are also crucial.
The message about drugs must be delivered clearly and delivered repeatedly. We need to keep hammering the facts home to make sure our kids know the score.
Want to know more about drugs? Call "Know the Score" on 0800 587 587 9 for free, confidential advice and information.
Back to Current Reports to the People
[ HOME ] [ News ] [ Articles ] [ Calendar ] [ Contacts ] [ Links ] [ E-Mail ]
[ Copyright ] [ UK Online ] [ Scottish Parliament ]