KIDS NEED DRUG FACTS

TODAY marks a radical shift in the Scottish Executive's policy on
drugs.

Politicians have finally accepted that the "just say no" policy,
however well intentioned, just doesn't work.

Instead, the Know the Score campaign will aim to give young people
detailed information about the risks of each individual drug.

People may fear that this appears to be going soft on drugs, but the
stark reality is that despite previous warnings, young people are
still taking drugs and in greater numbers than ever before.

Simply telling kids not to take them because all drugs screw you up
has not been a credible approach.

There is no doubt that cannabis experimentation in particular is
widespread among young people.

Many do unfortunately move on to harder and far more dangerous drugs,
like cocaine, heroin or ecstasy. Equally, many stick with cannabis or
merely dabble before turning to legal substances like tobacco and alcohol.

To tar cannabis with the same brush as much more harmful drugs like
heroin is an obvious failing in the Government's past drugs policy.

Frankly it was an insult to the intelligence of young people, and it
is hardly surprising so many ignored the warnings completely.

Therein lies the tragedy, as so many young people have fallen victim
to ecstasy and even heroin and its dire consequences - addiction, HIV
infection, criminal behaviour to feed their habits, even overdose and
death.

The Executive's decision to abandon the "just say no" policy in favour
of harm reduction through education is a brave one.

It risks incurring the wrath of many anti-drugs campaigners who still
advocate a zero tolerance approach.

Yet as long as the information given to children pulls no punches
about the damage caused by hard drugs, it is the right thing to do.

Hopefully, once armed with the facts, young people will make an
informed decision to avoid taking drugs.

But children need to know the real risks if they are to recognise that
drugs can ruin their lives.

Get physical

THE education of our children is one of the most fundamental and
crucial services that the Government provides.

And education doesn't just take place in the classroom, but the hockey
pitch, football field and gymnasium.

PE is being increasingly being recognised as key part of education in
schools.

Given Scotland's appalling health record, it is only by educating
children about the benefits of exercise that we hope that the next
generation will be healthier adults.

Therefore the news that an additional ?87 million is to be ploughed
into PE in schools across Scotland has to be welcome.

After all, public opinion polls consistently rate education as a top
priority for spending taxpayers' money.

It is rather galling to see lottery money being used to shore up the
education service when the public already pays for it through income
tax and council tax.

It could even be argued that using lottery grants to bolster public
services actually amounts to taxation by stealth.

But however unpalatable this may be, the reality is that lottery
offers millions of pounds in extra funds that is now available for
good causes.

That money is surely far better spent on priorities like education and
health than trivial projects.

Anything that helps to prise couch potatoes off the sofa can only be a
good thing.