Providing Drug Education To Meet Young People's Needs. Interchange 61.

Overview & Synopsis

This report shares the research findings of a major study on drug education in Scotland commissioned by the Scottish Office Education and Industry Department (SOEID) and carried out by the Scottish Council for Research in Education (SCRE) between September 1996 and June 1999. The project had three main aims: to provide an overview of the extent and nature of drug education in Scottish schools; to explore young people's knowledge, attitudes and behaviors concerning drugs and their drug education; and to highlight the factors influencing the effectiveness of drug education. Over the duration of the project, the researchers found that most schools claimed to provide drug education, and that this provision varied across the pupil year groups. The main framework for Scottish school-based drug education is an evolution of the "life-skills" approach. Data are included on pupils and tobacco and alcohol, pupils and illegal drug use, characteristics of pupils who misuse illegal drugs, pupils' reasons for using drugs, and pupils' attitudes to illegal drugs. The report also contains findings related to pupils' views on their drug education, factors influencing the effectiveness of drug education, and points for consideration concerning drug education in Scotland. The report highlights the theme of school-based education and how it can play an important role in influencing young people's drug behaviors and attitudes. (GC)