DRUGS EVENT SWINGS INTO ACTION

An anti-drugs conference, described as the biggest in the UK, has opened
Glasgow and is expected to be attended by about 32,000 young people.

The two-day event, organised by Strathclyde Police, is designed to take a
"child-friendly" look at some of the sensitive issues facing youngsters.

The conference is taking place as an investigation continues into the
deaths of six drug users in the Govanhill area of Glasgow in just 11 days.

Public health officials said they believed a rogue batch of heroin or a
substance in the citric acid used by addicts to dissolve the drug was to blame.

The primary seven children attending the conference from across Strathclyde
are taking part in a programme of education-led entertainment, hosted by
television presenters Fred MacAulay and Kate Heavenor.

It aims to equip children with the necessary skills to make the right
choices when they enter into secondary school and as they go through life.

Professional footballers, snooker players and American football stars from
the Scottish Claymores are also participating in the event.

Video clips featuring famous personalities, sport stars and pop groups are
encouraging children to take up sport and other activities to divert
attention from drugs.

Drugs Death Toll

The Choices For Life conference at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference
Centre has been organised in conjunction with Scotland Against Drugs and a
number of other support agencies, local authorities and private and public
bodies.

It aims to reduce the number of young people becoming involved in drugs
misuse by looking at the issue of choices, peer pressure, bullying, teenage
alienation and isolation.

These themes will be addressed using theatre, video drama and music from
top dance band QFX.

In Strathclyde alone last year, 146 people died from the abuse of
controlled drugs - a 46% rise from 1998.

Chief constable, John Orr, said: "My officers have worked hard to rid the
streets of drugs and record seizures totalling approximately UKP37m in
police operations have impacted on drug-dealing in Strathclyde thanks to a
more focused approach by officers to put maximum pressure on dealers and
their ruthless trade.

"Whilst the enforcement of drugs legislation is vital, the importance of
drugs education is paramount to Strathclyde Police.

Scotland's schoolchildren are far more likely to drink alcohol than use
drugs, according to research findings released recently.

Most older children have been offered drugs but only a small minority use
them, the Scottish Council for Research in Education said.

Among secondary pupils, 91% oppose drug-taking, a figure which rises to 96%
among primary school children.

The research, commissioned by the Scotland Office, studied drugs education
in schools from 1996-1999.