2009
• The Two Sides to Fear
An article originally published in Druglink in 1994 about the use of fear based messages with young people in relation to drug use. The article argues that fear is a strong motivator for many young people, but not all and for the latter group these messages are counter productive. The article is hosted here with permission.
[Download: The Two Sides of Fear]
• Blueprint Final Report - Executive Summary
The Home Office's Blueprint drug education programme research project was an evidence-based, multi-component programme that was piloted in 23 schools in England during the spring terms of 2004 and 2005. This report outlines key learning points for future education programmes and the implications this has for policy development in this area.
[Download: Blueprint - Executive Summary]
• Delinquent youth groups and offending behaviour
A friendship with deviant peers is an identified risk factor for possible pathways to early and more problematic patterns of drug use. This briefing paper examines the evidence for this as identified in Delinquent youth groups and offending behaviour: findings from the 2004 Offending, Crime and Justice Survey.
[Download: Delinquent youth groups and offending behaviour]
2008
• Tellus 2008 - Survey Findings
The Ofsted’s latest TellUs survey includes questions about health behaviours, including ones on smoking, drinking and sub-stance misuse. It provides the data that the government will use to judge the success or failure of the Public Service Agreement which includes National Indicator 115 on young people’s substance misuse.
[Download: Tellus 2008]
• Use of Alcohol among Children and Young People
Précis of research into young people's attitudes towards alcohol.
[Download: Use of Alcohol among Children and Young People]
• Boys and Girls Use of Drugs
A paper looking at the differences between boys and girls use of drugs using the findings from the 2007 survey of school pupils carried out by the Information Centre.
[Download: Boys and Girls Drug Use]
• Precis of the Drug Strategy
A summary of the government's drug strategy focusing on what it says about children and young people.
[Download: Drug Strategy Precis]
• Drug Use 2007
A paper examining the findings from the government's annual survey of school pupils in England.
[Download: Drug use, smoking and drinking among young people in England in 2007]
• The Reclassification of Cannabis
A short briefing on the advice given to the government on cannabis by their statutory advisers, the ACMD, and the governments decision to reclassify the drug to Class B.
[Download: The Reclassification Of Cannabis]
2007
• Public Service Agreements
A briefing note on the contents of PSA 14 and 25. The PSAs are developed as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review and describe the government's ambitions for services for the period 2008 - 2011. PSAs 14 and 25 deal with substance misuse. This briefing note looks at what they say about children and young people and the services to them and their families.
[Download: Public Service Agreements]
• Young People's Drug Use
A briefing on young people in England's smoking, drinking and use of illegal drugs.
[Download: Young People's Drug Use]
• Drug Education and School Policy
A briefing on what the government's annual survey of young people aged 11 - 15 says about drug education and school policies.
[Download: Drug Education and School Policy]
• DAAT Survey Report 2007
Results from a survey of Drug and Alcohol Action Teams in England. This is the second survey of Drug and Alcohol Action Teams that the Drug Education Forum has conducted. The results of this survey highlight the concerns that Drug and Alcohol Action Teams have about funding. This year has seen a 10% cut in the Young Peoples Substance Misuse Grant, and the responses have been clear.
[Download: DAAT Survey Report 2007]
2006
• Involving Children and Young People in Drug Education
This report describes examples of practice across a range of settings where children and young people have been actively involved in the development of drug educational approaches and/or policy. Examples of young people’s involvement were gathered through interviewing children, young people, teachers and youth workers in four settings and we have also been provided with examples by members of the Drug Education Forum.
[Download: Involving Children and Young People in Drug Education]
• Random Drug Testing in English Schools
This paper is intended to provide a short overview of the current knowledge about random testing and to raise some questions that we hope will aid the debate on this subject.
[Download: Random Drug Testing in English Schools]
• Key Figures 2006
We often assume we know what children and young people’s use of drugs are. This briefing is intended to give the reader an, at a glance, overview.
[Download: Key facts 2006]
2004
• Is that legal?
In February 2004, the government published Drugs: Guidance for Schools on the provision of drug education and the development of school drug policies to manage drug related incidents. This report carried out shortly after the guidance was published investigated local awareness of the new guidance and sought comments on the content of drug education and the development and implementation of drug policies in schools. We interviewed governors, teaching staff and pupils. The study cannot be said to be representative but provides a useful – and somewhat concerning - snapshot 7 - 8 months after the launch of the new guidance.
[Download: Is that Legal?]
• Advice for Teachers on Delivering Drug Education
Practical advice for teachers on the delivery of drug education.
[Download: Advice for Teachers on Delivering Drug Education]