§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many children were involved in Operation Charlie; over what period it was conducted; and how its value was assessed. [41619]
§ Ms Estelle MorrisThe Project Charlie (Chemical Abuse Resolution Lies in Education) programme was evaluated soon after its implementation in two primary schools in Hackney over the period 1990–1992. The children who were involved in the programme at this time were followed-up in 1996 and compared with children who did not receive Project Charlie. A number of different comparisons were made involving more than 300 pupils and, among the findings of the evaluation study highlighted in a recent Home Office Drug Prevention Initiative study paper, are the positive effects the programme appears to have on pupils' skills, attitudes and reported drug use.