Pubdate: Sun, 19 Mar 2000
Source: Sunday Telegraph (Australia)
Copyright: News Limited 2000
Contact:  2 Holt Street Surry Hills, NSW, 2010
Fax: (02) 9288-2300
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SCHOOLS, DOCTORS TO HOLD NATIONAL DRUG SUMMIT

Schools across Australia will hold drug summits to train teachers to
spot young children on drugs.

The move is aimed at turning teachers into front-line anti-drugs
crusaders. Parliamentary secretary for education Trish Worth said
teachers would be trained to recognise the early signs of drug use, as
well as educate children about the dangers.

The Federal Government's Tough On Drugs In Schools program has
sponsored a satellite television broadcast to doctors and teachers
from every school and general practitioner's surgery in Australia.

The program aims to get schools to hold their own drug summits to
address the issue of abuse, and use doctors and teachers to educate
young people about the risks of taking drugs.

"Schools will be funded so they can have their own summits and
educational material," Ms Worth said.

"Prevention and early intervention are vital tools in the war against
children's use of illicit and unsanctioned drugs."
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