§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list all the measures currently, or over the last year, taken by his Department, or by local authorities of whose action he has knowledge, to bring home to school pupils the danger of alcoholism; what was the cost of these measures; and how this compares with measures taken to combat drugs and cigarettes.
§ Mr. Harry EwingThe Scottish Health Education Unit undertakes health education work on behalf of my Department and of the health boards. The national publicity measures on alcoholism, drugs and cigarettes which are outlined below are related to young people of school age. The publicity is not necessarily channelled through the schools, although it is hoped that education authorities, who determine the school curriculum, take account of these initiatives as part of their overall responsibility for health education in schools. Detailed information on the322W health education activities of education authorities is not collected centrally. In addition to the publicity measures, a research project costing £24,000 is in progress at Strathclyde University into the acquisition of attitudes to alcohol, drinking etc. among 10–14 year olds.
Current Cost £ Alcoholism 3 films—"Dying of Thirst" (12–14 year olds); "Just a Habit" (14–16 year olds); and "Getting Drunk—the Teenager Speaks". (Produced two years ago but still in regular use.) 35,000 2 leaflets—"Drinking and Young People" and "Drinking and Your Child" (aimed at parents) 16,000 1 leaflet—"Understanding Alcohol and Alcoholism" in Scotland, contained references to young people 6,000 Drugs A booklet (not yet available) aimed at teachers, policemen, social workers etc. 6,000 Cigarettes A series of television commercials and poster campaigns 66,000 A television campaign "Are you hooked?" backed up with a campaign on local radio 25,000