Sniffer dogs in schools

PSHE 11-14/KS3/Levels E&F
Alcohol, drugs and tobacco

Overview

Sniffer dogs should be used to look for drugs in all UK schools, say experts.

A team studied the results of a trial at six schools in Buckinghamshire and found the searches are good at stopping pupils bringing drugs into school.

Students look at the arguments for and against drugs tests in schools and role play drug related scenarios.

Learning aims

• Arguments for drug testing in schools
• Arguments against drug testing in schools
• The importance of making decisions on drug use in advance, not on the spur of the moment
• Taking responsibility for your own actions with drugs

Ice-breaker

Read out this story to the class.

SCHOOLS TOLD TO USE SNIFFER DOGS Click here for the story Click here for worksheet with story and questions

Ask students the folowing questions:
They are available as a printable worksheet (see blue box).

1. Why do experts recommend random searches?
To stop pupils bunking off to avoid being caught, or warning each other on mobile phones.

2. What are the arguments for carrying out drugs tests in schools?
Deterrent etc.

3. What are the arguments against carrying out drugs tests in schools?

4. Why do you think some young people may not be put off drugs by the threat of tests?

• Don't care what adults think
• Can't see consequences
• Punishments not severe enough

5. Do you think drugs testing in schools is a good idea? Why?

Warm up

ARE SNIFFER DOGS IN SCHOOLS A GOOD IDEA? Click here for comments

Students study these comments about sniffer dogs in schools posted on the Newsround website.
They can be printed off.

They put a tick next to the ones they agree with, a cross next to the ones they disagree with and a question mark next to the ones they are not sure about.

Students write three paragraphs:

• One beginning: "Some people agree with sniffer dogs in schools because..."
• One beginning: "Others disagree with sniffer dogs in schools because..."
• One beginning: "I think having sniffer dogs in schools is..."

Main activity

Divide the class into groups of four or five and give each group one of the following situations:
These are available as a printable worksheet.

DRUG RELATED SCENARIOS Click here for the worksheet

[A] Older students offer you a joint at a bus stop.

[B] An adult you know offers you a lift home. They are slurring their words and you think they may be drunk.

[C] Your brother/sister is looking after you and they invite their mates around to your house. They start taking pills and offer you some.

[D] At lunchtime you find a syringe in the school playground.

[E] Your friend has a brother who is 16. Your friend thinks her brother is taking ecstasy. She doesn't know what to do about it.

Ask each group to consider each situation and write down:

• What the dangers are
• What would be the worst thing to do
• What would be the best thing to do

Drama

Ask each group to put together a short play of how best to handle one of these situations.

Extension activity

Students working in groups answer this quiz sheet on drugs.

WHICH DRUG AM I? Click here for quiz sheet

Answers:

1. Nicotine
2. Caffeine
3. Cocaine
4. Insulin
5. Tranquillisers
6. Alcohol
7. Glue
8. Ventolin
9. Gas
10. Steroids
11. Heroin
12. Cannabis
13. LSD
14. Magic mushrooms
15. Aspirin
16. Poppers
17. Ecstasy

Students produce a poster advertising sources of advice on drugs to other students.

Plenary

Each group feeds back suggestions on how to handle each scenario and present their play to the class.

After each performance, the class can ask questions of the characters about the situation.

The other groups comment on the similarities and differences in the way they would handle the situation.

Teachers' Background

DRUG RESOURCES Guide: All about drugs In Pictures: What happens during a school drugs test Comments: What children think about drug testing kits

A study for the Observer newspaper reported:

• 13 million adults - 28 per cent of the adult population - have used drugs including cannabis and ecstasy.
• The survey also revealed two million people say they took drugs while under the age of 14 and more than half of 16 to 24-year-olds have tried illegal substances.
• The survey of 1,075 adults by ICM for the Observer, weighted to reflect the general adult population, also found that more people now believe tobacco is a "greater risk" than ecstasy.
• Men are twice as likely as women to have taken drugs, with the majority saying cannabis was their drug of choice.

For hundreds more news-based lessons, click on Teachers on the left hand side