Source: Age, The (Australia)
Contact:  http://www.theage.com.au/
Copyright: 1998 David Syme & Co Ltd
Pubdate: Wed, 25 Nov 1998
Page: A6
Author: Victoria Button
Author's Source: Source: Ms Ruth Joyce, Head of Education and Prevention in
the UK government's standing conference on drug abuse.

CHILDREN AGED FOUR TO 11 WERE ASKED TO RESPOND TO A STORYLINE:

Cheryl was walking down the street, when she found a bag of
drugs.

1) What do you think was in it?

Slugs, jugs, herrings - Age 4

LSD, needles, glue, cans, ecstasy, cannabis leaves, crushed cannabis -
Age 8

Steroids, glue, weed, spliff, grass roll up, anabolic steroids - Age
9

Bart Simpsons/Batman, sleeping pills, capsules of mars, wrap of
cocaine, booze, tipex - Age 10

Viagra, 9 trips, speed and needles, skunk - Age 11

2) Who do you think dropped it?

A robber - Age 4/5

The nurse dropped the bag - Age 4

My brothers friend - I met him at the supermarket and he asked me if I
knew someone who wanted drugs - Age 7

P...H... is a drug dealer in our village ... he has a rounders bat
under his jacket - Age 9

K...G..., an older person from the big school. - Age
11

My uncle - he got sent down for it. - Age 11

3) What would you do with it?

Police - Age 7

I'd take the drug, sniff the glue and huff the marijuana - Age
7

I would just see what it is.  I would open the lid on the tablets and
eat one - Age 7/8

I might try some because I would be curious what might happen - Age
7/8

To do a deal with a friend - Age 8

4) Can drugs be good for you? - if so, when?

A drug could be good for you if you had a headache - Age
10/11

If you are an athlete it would help you but it wouldn't be good for
you - Age 10/11

This boy has taken steroids to make him run faster to win races - Age
10/11

5) Can drugs be bad for you? - if so, when?

Drugs can be bad for you when they are too strong or badly cut - Age
9

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Checked-by: Don Beck