Pubdate: Fri, 04 May 2007
Source: Sun, The (UK)
Copyright: News Group Newspapers Ltd, 2007
Contact:  http://www.the-sun.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/433
Author: Michael Lea
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?135 (Drug Education)

TV'S BART BEST AT DRUG WARNINGS

KIDS get better warnings on the dangers of drugs from The Simpsons 
than their teachers, an expert claimed last night.

The TV cartoon gives a more accurate picture than "worthy" classroom 
lessons, according to Richard Ives.

And it holds children's attention because it is funny, he said.

Mr Ives praised episodes where teenager Bart gets high on "an 
all-syrup Squishee", mum Marge "drinks spiked water and trips" -- and 
dad Homer takes dope.

The London Metropolitan University boffin lauded the storylines as 
"sophisticated".

And he added: "What characterises these drug references, apart from 
their humour, is their accuracy and level of detail.

"Any one of these would provide a fantastic starting point for class 
discussion about drugs."

Instead, dull and formal awareness programmes in schools are failing 
to hit home.

Such efforts have been lampooned by another hit US cartoon series, South Park.

Mr Ives insisted in a newspaper article: "It is no wonder that 
worthy, good-intentioned but boring education for prevention fails to 
make an impact on drug use."

But he said lessons should not be "spiced up". He called instead for 
drugs education to be moved outside schools to target kids already 
hooked and those at risk.
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