THREE-YEAR-OLDS TO BE TAUGHT THE DANGER OF DRUGS

THREE-year-old children have become the latest targets in Scotland's
battle against illegal drugs. A controversial new scheme will see the
anti-drugs message taken into state-funded nurseries for the first
time.

West Dunbartonshire Council has already signed up for the UKP20,000
scheme in a move that puts it ahead of the Scottish Executive's drug
education programme, which only starts when children go to school.

The scheme - High 5 Lifestyle - was written by Alistair Ramsay, the
former head of Scotland Against Drugs, which was scrapped last year by
the Executive. Ramsay, who advocates a zero tolerance approach to drug
abuse, insists it will prove more effective than the government-backed
system.

But politicians have raised concerns about High 5 Lifestyle, warning
it might be damaging to introduce drug lessons to very young children.

The nursery pack is designed for youngsters too young to write so they
are encouraged to draw instead. Alongside the 'soft' anti-drugs
message on how to play safely are lessons on eating, exercise,
favourite people and learning.

More detailed topics on different drugs, alcohol and smoking are
introduced around age seven. Ramsay said the key difference between
his programme and current teaching - apart from starting early - was
that it avoided simply lecturing children that drugs are harmful.
Instead, they are encouraged to ask about drugs and reach answers themselves.

He said: "What we are trying to do is make sure that if the issue of
particular drugs arises, it does get discussed. This method gets them
to internalise how it feels to feel safe."

Ramsay, a health education adviser, wrote drug and HIV education
materials for schools before heading Scotland Against Drugs in 1999.

The agency, which worked with the education and employment sectors,
was scrapped last year, prompting Ramsay to launch a scathing attack
on ministers for sidelining drugs prevention in favour of treatment
and claiming the country's anti-drugs policy has "never been more
disorganised".

Ramsay, who now has his own drug education firm, Drugwise Ltd, added
yesterday: "There has been a rise in heroin, cocaine and
methamphetamine seizures in the last 12 months. Clearly, the question
has got to be asked: do campaigns produce the kind of results that we
would like? The short answer is no, they do not.

"In nurseries, we are creating the beginnings of a learning process to
get youngsters to think about issues important to healthy lifestyles
as it affects them."

Angela Simms, of West Dunbartonshire Council, said: "Bad habits start
young and this is a soft approach into substances. We were surprised
about the knowledge of our young people.

"Some of them already know about not picking up needles or pills.
Obviously, there are youngsters living in houses affected by addiction."

But Scottish Conservative health spokeswoman Nanette Milne urged
caution: "I would worry about the issue of drugs being introduced at
such an early age. I have a five-year-old granddaughter and a
seven-year-old grandson and I can't see they would be ready for this."

A study this month by the universities of Edinburgh and Stirling and
the Open University found that pupils felt outside experts were more
credible than teaching staff when talking about drugs.

Education Minister Hugh Henry has announced plans to allow former
addicts to talk to secondary school pupils to improve drug education.

A Scottish Executive spokesman said: "It is up to local authorities
and schools to decide what they teach and when."

YES

SNP health spokeswoman Shona Robison:

"I think this is a positive intervention presuming that the
information is appropriate.

"Children at a relatively young age often know more than their parents
about drugs.

"The Scottish Executive's strategy on drugs has been confused and it's
important that the right messages are put out to children at a young
age so that the next generation are less likely to use drugs."

NO

Gaille McCann, founder of the rehabilitation group Mothers Against Drugs:

"I think you have to be very careful what you teach young children.
While I believe they should be taught about respect and self respect,
I do not think I would even mention drugs at that age and a lot of
parents would be really worried if there was talk about drugs. The
level of drug prevention in schools leaves a lot to be desired but at
nursery age I wouldn't even dream of talking about drugs."