HELPING youngsters make an informed choice about drug taking is the underlying message of a drug prevention strategy gaining prominence throughout Lancashire.

More and more schools in the county are climbing on board the initiative aimed at advising pupils on the misuse of drugs and other intoxicating substances, as well as stamping out abuse from school grounds.

The strategy, part of the national Tackling Drugs Together campiagn and now in its second year, is overseen by Lancashire County Council's health education team and involves schools introducing regular information lessons into the curriculum.

Staff are given training by the health education team, while outside bodies lend their support.

Even infant schools are being tackled with messages along the lines of medicine safety.

John Battersby, advisory teacher for Lancashire, explained the philosophy of the scheme, saying: "We are trying to get away from the idea of simply saying taking drugs is wrong and youngsters shouldn't do it.

"We are never going to get rid of drugs completely, so what we are doing is raising awareness, giving them the information they need to go away and make healthy and informed decisions."

One school following this example is Lytham St Annes High School where pupils have weekly personal, social and religious education (PSRE) sessions - all geared around drug, tobacco and alcohol education from the side effects to the legal implications.

In addition, the school has banned solvents including Tipp-Ex and permanent markers from its premises.

Head of personal development Alan Storey explained: "We provide pupils with the knowledge, skills to cope with situations, as well as values and attitudes.

"At the end of the summer term we link up with other schools to discuss the strategies and what we have learned.

"There is a good deal of common ground and it's good to find out what other people are doing."

However, the velvet glove approach is not always the best policy as headteacher Michael Payne explained: "We also have to use the iron hand approach when necessary.

"We have specific rules regarding drug taking and the pupils are well aware of the penalties."

And parents are kept up to date as much as possible.

Mr Payne said: "They are told in the school prospectus what is being covered in the PSRE sessions and parents of first-year children are invited here to discuss what we do.

"Parents don't seem as coy about drugs these days - I don't know of anyone who thinks it's someone else's problem."

Something which is echoed by John Battersby, who said: "If parents came to a drugs awareness evening in the past there was a stigma attached, as if their child had a problem.

"Now there are 200-300 people turning up to each one.

"It is an issue for all parents and what they should be doing is going into their children's schools and asking what is being done there.

"This is important for the safety of children.

"As Gillian Shepherd said when launching the DFEE guidelines in November 1994: 'Those schools which fail to teach the issue of drugs are failing their pupils. They are the ones with a drug problem'."

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