Drug Education being offered by external organisations

In recent months a number of individuals and organisations have approached schools across the country offering to provide drug education to pupils. In some cases what was being offered was not always appropriate or in line with current DfES/QCA guidelines.

I am writing to you to urge that great caution should be taken to ensure that if you are using external contributors, what they deliver is in line with current guidance and best practice. In the case of drug education, the suggested content of Drug Education is outlined in Drugs: Guidance for School (reference DfES/0092/2004) copies of which were sent to all schools in 2004 and which can be seen on the DfES Website.

There have also been a number of cases where schools have received unsolicited drug education materials (often sponsored by local businesses). Again, some of these are inappropriate. In such cases, the materials often have no details regarding ISBN number/ publisher/author etc.

Coincidentally, we are currently developing a guidance document that will provide practical guidance for schools when working with external contributors: this will be sent to you once it has been through the usual consultation process.

If you are approached by any individual or organisation or are offered drug education resources and would like further advice or clarification, please contact the School Drugs Adviser, Barry Gibson.