NCJ Number
122110
Journal
Drug Link Volume: 4 Issue: 4 Dated: (July/August 1989) Pages: 12-13
Date Published
1989
Length
2 pages
Annotation
British local authority drug education coordinators were surveyed to determine their opinions of the government's "Drugwise Curriculum Guide" for use in secondary schools.
Abstract
Instead of locating drug education within personal, social, and health education, the guide adopts a subject-based approach, with sections on how to incorporate drug issues into subjects such as math, history, drama, etc., and how this can be related to the national criteria for secondary education. The 32 coordinators surveyed were familiar with a subject-based approach, and most had used the relevant part of the DrugWise Curriculum Guide with teachers during training or had referred teachers to it. Almost all respondents viewed coordination as a major problem, particularly regarding the delivery of a consistent message. Many were concerned about testing, which is emphasized in the National Curriculum. Respondents considered it inappropriate and difficult to test pupils on drug education. Many believed that subject teachers do not have the necessary skills to provide drug education without considerable inservice training. There were doubts that subject teachers would be sufficiently motivated to include drug education in their subject teaching. Overall, coordinators favored retaining drug education within personal, social, and health education.