What primary school teachers think of drugs education in their school

Abstract

This paper examines teachers' views of drugs education in primary schools as indicated by the findings of a survey of primary schools (including through primary schools, junior schools and infant schools) in the former County of Avon. Teachers responding to this survey wanted good in-service support, and publications that can be easily understood and used in the classroom. Teachers expressed the need for support in teaching children at Key Stage 1, that is, for children aged 5 to 7 years. Older children currently receive the bulk of attention. Respondents were divided over the need for teaching infant-school children specifically about illegal drugs. Over half felt that such children were too young. However, over 90 per cent felt that drugs education should begin before secondary school. Schools were generally optimistic about the potential impact of drugs education on young people's drug use. However they overwhelmingly stated that schools should not be seen as the sole source of drugs education for young people.