To Headteachers of all Primary, Secondary & Special Schools

Dear Headteacher

I thought that I would let the initial hectic part of the term pass before writing to introduce myself to you. Having taken up the above post and undertaken a brief settling in period, I am now beginning the process of planning the range of support and advice that I will be able to offer schools.

Several colleagues in schools have expressed the desire for brief summaries of the main documents relating to drug education issues as they affect schools. I will, therefore, soon issue a list of all relevant documents with supporting bullet point summaries as part of a series of ‘Drug Education Briefing Papers’. Training opportunities for 2002/2003 are currently being finalised but will include sessions on developing and reviewing drug policies (a government target) as well as approaches to delivering drug education.

Moreover, I am currently visiting schools who have requested advice relating to their drug education policies and programmes, and would welcome any further requests. Remember that this post is fully supported by Standards Funds, so there is no cost to you!

Please contact either myself, or my assistant Gill Seaton, if you feel I could be of some assistance. I look forward to working with you and your staff in future.

Yours sincerely

Barry Gibson

Adviser (School Drugs)