Schools improve drug awareness

The executive aims to reach all schools

Almost every school in Scotland has provided education about the dangers of drug abuse in the past year, according to a report.

The Scottish Executive's education department said 99% of schools provided drug education in the last 12 months.

The figure is an increase from 98% in the previous year.

The survey also revealed that more pupils were now being taught about the safe use of alcohol, tobacco, solvents and medicine.

We are well down the road towards ensuring that drugs education is available to all pupils Peter Peacock Education Minister

Results covered all primary, secondary and special schools across the country.

Education Minister Peter Peacock said the executive wanted to make sure all schools provided drug education for pupils by the end of the 2002 school year.

He said: "The main aim for drug education is to help young people resist drug misuse to enable them to achieve their full potential.

"The key to this is clear information and opportunities to consider the consequences and pressures which they may find themselves under.

Quality check

"We are therefore greatly encouraged by this survey which shows that we are well down the road towards ensuring that drugs education is available to all pupils."

According to the new figures, 56% of schools updated their drug education programmes in the last two years and a further 40% within the last five years.

A total of 84% of Scots schools also had written procedures for dealing with drug abuse by pupils, while 59% had measures for dealing with smoking.

Mr Peacock said the executive planned to carry out research into the quality of drug education in primary and secondary schools.