Two new guides to the dangers of drugs aimed at schoolchildren have been launched by the head of the government's anti-drugs campaign, Keith Hellawell.

The guides, which spell out the dangers of taking alcohol and tobacco as well as illegal drugs like heroin and ecstasy, are aimed at children aged between 11 and 16.

Mr Hellawell, the former Chief Constable of West Yorkshire, said the guides had been designed to "dispel the myths" that surround drugs.

"It's essential that we have guides of this nature so that teenagers receive information they can rely on," he said.

Hellawell: "Kids are under pressure from a very young age"

He agreed that it was a significant coincidence that the launch coincided with news that police have smashed the gang thought to be responsible for 95% of heroin trafficking in Britain.

"I think it will have reduced the availability of heroin by considerable degree," he said.

Mr Hellawell also said the operation showed the need for Britain to use its international muscle to put pressure on other governments to tighten up drug enforcement.

That will be something he will consider as an anti-drugs strategy is assembled for Tony Blair.

'Know the Score'

The guides "Drugs - the Facts" for 11-14 year olds and "The Score - Facts About Drugs" for 14-16 year olds, have been produced by the Health Education Authority in association with drugs advice charities.

Colourfully designed, they contain photographs and case histories as well as facts about individual substances and the legal penalties that abuse carries.

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"They are the product of extensive market research," Mr Hellawell said.

They show how drugs can damage health, education, and family relationships.

But he denied that 11 was too young to start explaining the issue to children. "That idea just isn't true." he said.

"Kids are under pressure from a very young age to take drugs, and we need to give them information in a fashion they can recognise and can be comfortable with."

The leaflets will be place in teenage magazines and the campaign will also be carried on radio by various commercial radio stations.

This approach was developed because, according to the Health Education Authority, research shows that teen magazines and radio are "intimate and trusted" media for this age group. It says young people want information about drugs but they will not admit they want it.

Teenagers at Haverstock School in north London were largely pleased with the leaflets.

Lul Amed, Muna Nir and Sumena Begum, all aged 13, said the guides were effective and agreed that young children should read them.

"It will help them understand the risks," Lul said.

But they all claimed never to have seen any drug taking or dealing going on in their school.

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