Pubdate: Thu, 21 Jul 2005 Source: BBC News (UK Web) Copyright: 2005 BBC Website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/ Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?135 (Drug Education) SCHOOL DRUGS TEACHING 'IMPROVING' There has been a big improvement in the way most schools teach you about drugs, say the schools inspectors Ofsted. It says pupils in England now have a better understanding about drugs, and how they can harm your health. But the report also said lessons focus too much on illegal drugs, even though you are more worried about the effects of alcohol and cigarettes. It also found out that not many schools were interested in random drug testing or using sniffer dogs. The study was based on visits to 60 schools, along with evidence from 200 school inspection reports. Although the report generally found that pupils have a greater understanding of drugs, around one in 10 schools still don't give enough time to drugs education. Threat Teachers and parents seem to be more worried about illegal drugs, but young people see tobacco and alcohol as the biggest threat. David Bell, chief inspector of schools in England, said that not very many children will go on to abuse hard drugs, but are more likely to be affected by alcohol and cigarettes. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom