HC Deb 27 July 1967 vol 751 cc191-4W
54. Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is yet in a position to communicate with local authorities about the misuse of dangerous drugs by school children and students and to issue guidance and advice upon this subject.

Mr. Crosland

This has been done, and I will, with permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT letters sent this week from the Department to Chief Education Officers and Principal School Medical Officers on this subject.

Following are the letters:

25th July,

1967 Dear Chief Education Officer,

Drug taking by Schoolchildren and Students

There have been a number of reports in recent months in the Press about the spread of drug taking among school children and young people, including students for whom local education authorities may have some responsibility. Members of the Department's medical staff have visited the areas principally mentioned in such reports. Some of these reports have proved to be baseless or exaggerated, but there is no doubt that certain forms of drug taking have recently increased. That the habit should have spread to school children is a matter of public concern, which has been expressed in Parliament.

For local education authorities this situation raises questions both of prevention and of the identification of those who may need treatment. As regards prevention you may be aware that Pamphlet 31 ("Health Education") is being revised in the Department. The opportunity is being taken of expanding and bringing up to date in the light of recent developments the section on drugs, alcohol and tobacco. This reference to drug taking will then be in the wider context of health education as a whole. This revision is a considerable undertaking and the booklet will not be issued for some months.

Meanwhile the Secretary of State has asked to be informed of the present situation throughout the country and of any evidence of drug taking by school children and students (whether full-time or part-time) in establishments for which the L.E.A. have responsibility, and on the steps being taken locally by authorities and by other local organisations to guard against such a development and to treat those who need it. It is already known that some authorities have issued documents of advice, and no doubt local action has been taken in many other cases of which the Secretary of State is not aware. There is evidently wide variation in different areas and the action appropriate in one might well be ill judged or premature in others. In particular it seems to the Secretary of State important that any action taken should not defeat its own object by lending unnecessary glamour to the subject of drug taking, or by encouraging its concealment.

I should be grateful, therefore, if you could let me know quite briefly what the situation is in the authority's area and any evidence you may have of growing drug addiction or consumption particularly having regard to what I have said above, but also mentioning any other points which seem to you of importance or interest, and letting me know also of any help you may feel the Department could give you. Dr. Henderson has written simultaneously also to Medical Officers of Health (a copy of his letter is enclosed) and if it is felt that a combined reply to these two letters is appropriate this would be entirely acceptable to Dr. Henderson and myself.

The Secretary of State has asked for replies by the end of August so that he may be aware of the situation and consider what further action may be needed. He has in mind, subject to the nature of the replies received, that it may be appropriate to call a series of regional conferences, at least in some areas, later in the year to discuss the subject.

I ought to add that drug taking among school children and students is only one facet of a very much wider problem covering the community as a whole. We are acting throughout in close concert with the Home Office and the Ministry of Health who are also deeply concerned in this matter.

Yours sincerely,

R. HOWLETT.

The Chief Education Officer.

25th July, 1967.

Dear Doctor,

Drug Taking by School Children and Students

There have been a number of reports in recent months in the Press about the spread of drug taking among school children and young people, including students for whom local education authorities may have some responsibility. One of the Department's Medical Officers has visited the areas principally mentioned in such reports. Some of these reports have proved to be baseless or exaggerated, but there is no doubt that certain forms of drug taking have recently increased. That this habit should have spread to school children is a matter of public concern, which has been expressed in Parliament.

For local education authorities this situation raises questions of prevention and of the identification of those who may need treatment. As regards prevention you may be aware that Pamphlet 31 ("Health Education") is already being revised in the Department. The opportunity is being taken of expanding and bringing up to date in the light of recent developments the section on drugs, alcohol and tobacco. This reference to drug taking will thus be in the wider context of health education as a whole. This revision is a considerable undertaking and the pamphlet will not be ready for issue for some months.

As regards the identification of children taking drugs, it is well known that the diagnosis of drug dependence is extremely difficult and that in the early stages of the condition there are no specific signs or symptoms whereby it may be recognised with certainly. Whilst it may manifestly affect a child's behaviour in a variety of ways, such behaviour may equally be due to other causes than the taking of drugs.

In so far as the incentive to experiment with drugs is primarily social in origin, though it may ultimately lead to a situation calling for medical, including psychiatric help, the early detection of drug dependence lies in the early recognition of a measure of maladjustment that warrants investigation. For this reason it is especialy important that those who are in daily contact with young people, and particularly teachers, should be alert to behaviour clearly uncharacteristic of the child or to a developing pattern of behaviour likely to interfere with his educational progress and social development. Furthermore, it is essential that they should be fully appraised of the need to seek medical advice regarding children showing such behaviour, This advice should be available from school doctors, to whom head teachers (acting also for class teachers) should certainly turn in the first place.

It is already known that some authorities have issued advice and information to teachers and others, and no doubt local action has been taken in many other areas of which the Secretary of State is unaware. There is evidently considerable variation in the action taken in different areas and what is appropriate in one might well be ill judged or premature in another. In particular it seems to the Secretary of State important that any action taken should not defeat its own object either by lending unnecessary glamour to the subject of drug taking or by encouraging its concealment.

The Secretary of State has asked to be informed of any evidence local education authorities may have of drug taking by adolescent school children and students for whom they are providing education, and of the steps being taken locally by authorities and by other organisations to guard against such a development and to ensure treatment for those who may need it. I should be grateful, therefore, if you would let me know quite briefly what the situation is in the authority's area, particularly having regard to what I have said above, but also mentioning any other features which seem to you to be of importance or interest. Mr. Howlett has written simultaneously to Chief Education Officers (a copy of his letter is enclosed) and if it is felt that a combined reply to these two letters is appropriate this would be entirely acceptable to Mr. Howlett and myself.

The Secretary of State has asked for replies by the end of August so that he may consider what further action may be needed. He has in mind, subject to the nature of the replies received, that it may be appropriate to call a series of regional conferences in the Autumn to discuss the subject.

I ought to add that drug taking by school children and students is only one facet of a very much wider problem within the community as a whole. We are acting throughout in close liaison with the Ministry of Health and the Home Office who are also deeply concerned in this matter.

Yours sincerely,

P. HENDERSON.

To the Principal School Medical Officers.