EDUCATION minister Ivan Lewis has declared an all-out offensive against drugs in schools.

And at a drugs summit at the Department for Education and Skills, the Bury South MP spelled out the clear message that there is no place for drugs in schools.

Among the measures promised by the minister are:

Getting tough on dealers. Zero tolerance for those caught supplying drugs within school gates.

training for teachers. All new teachers will undertake training in drugs education by this September.

New powers for OfSTED who will be tasked to formally assess the standards of drugs education in secondary schools.

Support for teachers. Practical guidance and a new website for teachers will be launched this summer

Shock tactics. A new look at how these can be effectively used when targeted at certain age groups and within a wider educational framework.

Discussions with Home Office to look at new measures to tackle drug dealing in the vicinity of schools and which is targeted at young people of school age.

Mr Lewis said: "We have to send out a clear message that drugs, drug takers and drug dealers have absolutely no place in school as well as ensuring that young people are fully educated about the effects of their use.

"We cannot expect children and young people to make the right decisions in a moral vacuum or without adequate information. So, I am determined that we take a tough and clear stance on this issue."

He went on: "Drug misuse is at the heart of some of our society's most intractable and serious problems. There is a strong causal link between addiction and violent and other forms of crime.

"It can lead to serious health problems and in certain circumstances to the tragic death of someone like Rachel Whitear whose parents I am meeting. We have a duty to ensure that young people know that."