Backed by Tony Blair on the basis of US evidence, the Abbey School became the first state school in Britain to randomnly drug test its pupils. Max Daly investigates what really happened in the US and the problems facing schools…
Tag Archive for education
Druglink article 2004 – Drug wars at the chalk face by Blaine Stothard
Tactics used by schools to warn of the dangers of drugs have veered from ‘Just Say No’ in the 1980s to Blueprint in 2004. Blaine Stothard examines the history of changing trends in drug education. Drug wars at the chalk face…
Druglink article 2004 – ‘Dutch’ Reagan’s drug policy: America’s second Civil War by Harry Shapiro
While the White House trumpeted ‘Just say no’, black urban America was torn apart by crack cocaine. Harry Shapiro looks back at the Reagan years. ‘Dutch’ Reagan’s drug policy: America’s second Civil War (PDF)
Druglink article 2010 – News values by Caitlin Hughes, Kari Lancaster, Francis Mathew-Simmons and Paul Dillon
What messages do young people get from media reporting on illegal drugs? Does it make them attracted to drugs, fear them, or just confused? A ground breaking Australian study has come up with some answers. News values (PDF)
Druglink article 2010 – Small steps by Andrew Brown
While we have moved away from the now discredited shock tactics used to warn children away from drugs in the 1980s, the last decade has seen slow progress in developing effective drug education. Small steps (PDF)
Druglink article 2010 – Talk to Frank (or Fridge Magnet) by Mike Power
As the internet takes a more central position in Britain’s drug landscape, through the sale of legal highs and proliferation in sites specialising in drugs, more people are turning to unofficial websites as a source of information on psychoactive substances. Talk to Frank…
Druglink article 2010 – Making a hash of it by Mike Ashton
It was expected to decide whether a well structured, well resourced, evidence-based drug education programme could contribute to reducing youth substance use, yet the £6m Blueprint study ended up a scientific shambles. Analysis by Mike Ashton. The great store set in the Blueprint study’s…
Druglink article 2003 – Star turns: Blueprint comes to Britain by Blaine Stothard
Over-priced, over-hyped and over here? the government is about to spend £11 million over the next five years on another US drug education package. In the second of a two-part article Blaine Stothard asks if we really need this. Star…
Druglink article 2003 – Lies, damned lies and research: does lifeskills training work? By Blaine Stothard
Many parents, politicians and professionals look to schools to deliver the magic bullet of preventing young people from trying drugs. This can lead to exaggerated claims being made for schemes that show even the slightest promise. Lies, damned lies and…
Druglink article 2011 – After shock by Sam Hart
When Sam Hart found her 14-year-old daughter comatose from alcohol it left her confused and scared. What had she done wrong? Here, she looks at the tricky balancing act of dealing with kids and drinking. After shock (PDF)