Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

Drug Education Team

Supporting Effective Drug Education in Schools

• All children and young people need to be able to make safe, healthy and responsible decisions about drugs, both legal and illegal. Schools play a central role in helping them make such decisions by providing education about the risk and effects of drugs: by developing their confidence and skills to manage situations involving drugs: by creating a safe and supportive learning environment and ensuring that those for whom drugs are a concern receive appropriate support.

• Drug Education in the classroom should be supported by a whole school approach that includes the school's ethos, staff training and the involvement of pupils, staff, parents/carers, governors and the wider community.

• The aim of drug education is to provide opportunities for pupils to develop their knowledge, skills, attitudes and understanding about drugs and appreciate the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, relating this to their own and other's actions.