§ Mr. Evennettasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether his Department issues any advice or guidelines to local education authorities concerning drug abuse by (i) pupils and (ii) teachers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DunnThe Department issued general guidance on dealing with drug misuse, among other matters, in its 1977 publication, "Health Education in Schools". This included advice on the role of the teacher. Further advice was given this year in the Home Office publication "Prevention" to which Her Majesty's Inspectorate contributed.
Department of Education and and Science Ministers and officials are playing a full part in the interdepartmental group on the misuse of drugs and in that context we are considering urgently what further advice should be given to the education system. A number of possibilities are being studied.