DANGERS OF DRUGS TO BE STRESSED IN SCHOOLS

Children as young as 10 will be taught the dangers of illicit drugs as
part of a new State Government plan to delay or avoid early
experimentation.

The Minister for Education, Mr Aquilina, said a new Personal
Development, Health and Physical Education course for kindergarten to
Year 6 students would provide an early introduction to drug education.

He said the focus would be on "getting to children" before they became
exposed to drugs, particularly in local communities where illicit
drugs, such as cannabis, are prevalent or threatening to young people.

"In keeping with the recommendations of the recent NSW Drug Summit,
the Government is introducing drug education early, before its use
occurs among the general school community," Mr Aquilina said.

He said the course, to be in schools in July, would provide the "most
comprehensive approach ever" to dealing with issues such as drugs,
child protection, nutrition, consumerism and sexuality.

There will be a new focus on drugs causing the most harm to young
people, including medications, tobacco and alcohol.

"The use or misuse of these substances may impair physical,
intellectual, emotional and social development," said Mr Aquilina.

"For some young people, experimenting with cigarettes and alcohol is
significant in later illegal drug use."

Mr Aquilina said delaying or avoiding early experimentation with
cigarettes and alcohol at a young age reduced the likelihood of future
illegal drug use.

But given the sensitivity of drug issues, schools would be expected to
consult parents about how much, and at what age, primary pupils should
learn about illicit drugs.

The president of the NSW Federation of Parents and Citizens'
Associations, Ms Beverly Baker, said parents might well be concerned
about students getting such information.

"But schools will be expected to consult with parents about how much
information they can give students about drugs," she said. "Just like
sex education, if parents strongly object to the information then they
will be free to withdraw their children from that part of program."

Mr Aquilina said all primary pupils would take part in programs to
help them make responsible decisions.

Under the new course, kindergarten students will cover the safe use
and storage of medicines while students in Years 5 and 6 will be asked
to define legal and illegal drugs and to look at the effects of drug
use on the community.