SCHOOL SEX AND DRUGS SURVEY ROW

Children as young as 11 have been asked in a school questionnaire how many
times they have been "stoned" on illegal drugs, it was disclosed yesterday.

The survey, handed out to 6,000 pupils at six schools in Scarborough and
Ryedale, North Yorkshire, prompted outrage after it emerged that many of its
questions were about drugs and sex.

The four-page questionnaire, issued by North Yorkshire county council,
contained more than 100 questions about homework, religion, smoking,
drinking, the National Lottery and pocket money. But more than half dealt
with drug abuse, and 26 questions were about sex.

Nick Seaton, chairman of the Campaign for Real Education, said that he was
shocked by the number of questions about drugs and sex.

Margaret Morrissey, spokeswoman for the National Confederation of Parent
Teacher Associations, said: "I think that it is sad that local authorities
are teaching children in this way. I am sure if parents had been consulted
about it they would not have been happy."

One teacher at a secondary school said staff were unaware of the survey's
contents. "A number of us went to express some concern to the head,
particularly those teaching at the younger end of the school," said the
teacher.

"It is not something which we should be exposing children to without any
overtones of whether it was right or wrong."

David Uffindall, coordinating tutor for health education at North Yorkshire
county council, said that it was a sensitive survey.

"We had to take that risk," he said. "Children are going to have to deal
with these sort of things in real life. This survey could help save some
people's lives or improve people's lives.

"We have to ask sensitive questions to deal with sensitive issues. We want a
clear picture of what is happening in our schools."

Mr Uffindall said that the youngsters did not have to answer every question
and were given guidance by teachers if they did not understand them.

The results of the survey will now be studied and will help to form the sex
and drug education curriculum at the schools which took part.