§ John RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what action she is taking to promote drug awareness in schools [33735]
§ Mr. Ivan LewisAll schools are required to deliver drugs education as a statutory part of the national curriculum. In addition, three years of focused effort has raised the profile of drug education and increased drug awareness by: the production of guidance for schools; the launch of the joint Department of Health and Department of Education and Skills National Healthy School Standard (NHSS) in October 1999, of which drug education is a key component; and the publication of the Personal, Social, and Health Education Framework (PSHE) in November 1999.
£15 million is available this year to all LEAs through the Standards Fund to support drug education. It will help teachers deliver a drug education programme, which equips them with the knowledge and awareness to recognise the dangers of drug misuse and make informed choices. It will also fund drug advisers to work directly with schools, the training of Connexions personal advisers for 13 to 19-year-olds and ensure that key partners are engaged in developing drug education programmes relevant to the needs of the local community.