Drugs and alcohol education
Drugs and alcohol education is an important part of the PSHEe core theme and will need to be included in your planned programme of PSHEe, based on the QCDA guidance.
See the national framework for PSHEe to determine what drugs education is appropriate.
We produced a simple document linking the non-statutory guidelines for PSHE with drugs and alcohol education at Key Stages 1 and 2, based on skills, knowledge and attitudes.
The Drug Education Forum has produced some principles of good drug education as well some research findings about what makes effective drugs and alcohol education
QCDA Guidance
This guidance was published in 2005 by the (then) QCA, now the QCDA:
Primary
- Drug, alcohol and tobacco education guidance at Key Stage 1: Unit A: Keeping ourselves and others safe
- Drug, alcohol and tobacco education guidance at Key Stage 2: Unit B: Risk-taking and dealing with pressure
- Drug, alcohol and tobacco education guidance at Key Stage 2: Unit C: Building knowledge and understanding about drugs and alcohol - practising skills to deal with situations
Secondary
- Drug, alcohol and tobacco education guidance at Key Stage 3: Unit D: Drugs, alcohol, tobacco and the law - a local, national and global issue
- Drug, alcohol and tobacco education guidance at Key Stage 3: Unit E: Why do people use drugs?
- Drug, alcohol and tobacco education guidance at Key Stage 4: Unit F: Managing risk
- Drug, alcohol and tobacco education guidance at Key Stage 4: Unit G: Giving and receiving support
SEAL
In the primary school Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning (SEAL) provides a terrific drugs education foundation. It helps to develop pupils' self-esteem and confidence and builds their key skills and attitudes.
Policy
A good starting point is the Drugs policy.
- Have you got one? (You should have!)
- Does it need updating?
- Have you consulted pupils and parents about the content?
- What have you done about implementing it?
Consultation on revised drugs guidance
The government of the day held a consultation on the revised drugs guidance for schools. That consultation ended on 15th February 2010 but the results were never published. Here is the draft revised drugs guidance for schools.
A smoke-free future
In February 2010 the government published the ten-year tobacco control strategy, A smoke-free future. It outlines ambitious goals to dramatically reduce smoking rates among adults and children. Download the strategy from the Department of Health's website.
