Re classification of Cannabis
A brief summary and some recommendations for professionals
on the reclassification of Cannabis produced by the Hertfordshire
Drug Education Forum.
In May the government announced that Cannabis will be
reclassified as a Class B drug, subject to Parliamentary
approval. These changes are likely to come into effect
from early 2009. In the meantime the Hertfordshire Drug
Education Forum recommends professionals working with young
people continue to use education resources (guidance, leaflets,
posters etc) stating that cannabis is a Class C drug.
It is expected that new resources and further printing
of existing resources containing information about cannabis
and the law will cease until further details become known.
(See
attached file: The reclassification of cannabis.doc) (Top)
Youth Alcohol Action Plan
The new Youth Alcohol Action Plan was launched on 2nd June
2008.
Key points include:
- Encourage the wider use of Proof of Age Standard Schemes
(PASS)
- Legislate to give the police powers to disperse under-
18s who are drinking and behaving anti-socially from any
location.
- Ensure Parenting Contracts are used with parents of young
people repeatedly caught drinking in public.
- Advice and guidance issued to parents re: young people
and alcohol, which will include a statement of what the
guidelines are (based on the work of the Chief Medical
Officer and Expert Panel as well as consultation findings).
- Launch a comprehensive communications campaign about
the risks of alcohol, aimed particularly at the 11- 15-year-old
age group.
- Conduct a review into drug and alcohol education to include
help for schools and colleges to identify and support young
people at risk of alcohol harm arising from either their
own use or that of parents.
(See
attached file: 7658-DCSF-Youth Alcohol Action Plan.pdf) (Top)
Visitor Forms
The DEF continues to see a high demand
from various youth and education settings
for external organisations to deliver
drug education and information to young people, parents/carers
and professionals.
Many of these requests come at very short notice and fail
to establish the following:
· Why the request was made
· What drug education and information has
already been received
· Different educational needs and abilities
· Aims and learning outcomes for each session
In order to support host organisations and visitors in delivery
of drug education the DEF has produced three ‘Drug
Education Request’ forms.
They are:
· Drug Education within Youth Settings
· Drug Education with Parents and Professionals
· Events
The forms will help to identify each organisation’s
roles and responsibilities and provide a stronger emphasis
on the importance of good planning.
(See
attached file: REQUEST FORM FOR A STAND AT A COLLEGE EVENT.doc)(See
attached file: REQUEST FOR PARENTS DRUG EDUCATION IN HERTFORDSHIRE.doc)(See
attached file: Request for drug education in youth settings.doc)
(Top)
New
national drug strategy launched
The ten-year drug strategy (2008-2018) aims to restrict the
supply of illegal drugs and reduce the demand for them. It
focuses on protecting families and strengthening communities.
The four strands of work within the strategy
are:
- protecting communities through tackling drug supply,
drug-related crime and anti-social behaviour
- preventing harm to children, young people and families
affected by drug misuse
- delivering new approaches to drug treatment and social
re-integration
- public information campaigns, communications and community
engagement
For more information visit: www.drugs.gov.uk
In response to the new strategy, briefing papers have been
produced by the National
Children's Bureau and the National
Healthy Schools Programme. Both papers provide a useful summary
of the strategy and its links to young people, families and
drug education / prevention.
(Top)
Drug Hoax
There is currently an email circulating about a drug called
'strawberry quick'. The email states that it is a type
of crystal meth that looks like strawberry pop rocks (the
sweet that sizzles and 'pops' in your mouth). It also smells
like strawberry and it is being handed out to kids in school
yards. They are calling it strawberry meth or strawberry
quick.
This email is a hoax from America and should
not be passed on to anyone. Even in the US there is no
evidence that this drug exists.
This email is like the urban legend of 'progesterex' (fictitious
date rape drug) and the temporary 'blue star' tattoos impregnated
with LSD, which has been circling for years. Equally untrue
and designed purely to cause panic in gullible adults.
The Hertfordshire DEF has advised schools and those services
working with young people that in future, when they or anyone
else is sent these type of emails, the best thing to do is:
- See what reputable drug agency websites (such as DrugScope)
say about it.
- Google it - there are numerous 'Myth-Buster' style web
sites that explode these urban legends and tell you where
they've come from.
- If you don't get anywhere with the first contact the Hertfordshire
Drug Education Forum.
(Top)
Drug Use in the Family Quiz
To help Parents and Carers get best use from the Herts DEF
booklet titled 'Drug Use in The Family', a simple quiz has
been produced. This could be used as an ice breaker or part
of a awareness raising session. Click
here to download document
(Top)
Drug Testing in Schools
In response to plans by Government to trial random drug
testing in schools, the Hertfordshire DEF developed a position
statement which was supported by the Hertfordshire Young
Peoples Substance Misuse Joint Commissioning Group on the
18th September 2007. Click
here to download document
(Top)
Change in law regarding tobacco
sales
From Monday, 1st October 2007 the law for selling tobacco
will change. It will be illegal to sell tobacco products
to anyone under the age of 18 (an increase from 16) in England
and Wales. Information is currently being sent to schools
in Hertfordshire. Click
here to download document
Download
Smokefree Poster
(Top)
NEW! Gases, Glues
and Aerosols: Is your child at risk.
What every parent should know!
This new leaflet produced by FRANK.
It is aimed at parents and carers to increase their knowledge
and understanding of the dangers of solvent abuse.
Order online or call 08701 555 455 and quote ref' 277034
or visit www.drugs.gov.uk to
order online or download a copy.
(Top)
New
national alcohol strategy:
The 'Safe, Sensible, Social' National
Alcohol Strategy builds upon the foundations which have been
laid and the lessons learnt since 2004. It will forge a clearer
national understanding of what is acceptable drinking behaviour,
in order to reduce the amount of harm that alcohol causes
to individuals, families and communities.
Safe, Sensible, Social outlines a concerted approach to
support a change in drinking culture and shows how the police,
local communities, local authorities, the NHS, voluntary
organisations, the alcohol industry and others all have a
role to play.
To download a copy visit www.drugs.gov.uk
(Top)
Health Related
Behaviour Survey
A Health Related Behaviour Survey was carried
out between Summer and Autumn 2006, this is being repeated in Summer 2008. The work was funded by
the Joint Commissioning Group for Young People’s Substance
Misuse and the survey was co-ordinated by the HCC Healthy
Schools Team as a way of collecting robust information about
young people’s lifestyles.
Results were collected from a sample of primary
pupils aged 9 to 11 and secondary pupils aged 12 to 15 in
Hertfordshire on the following subjects: Citizenship; Drugs,
Alcohol and Tobacco; Emotional Health and Well-being; Healthy
Eating; Homework; Leisure; Physical Activity; Puberty and
Growing Up; Safety; School and Career; Sex and Relationships.
90 Primary Schools and 23 Secondary Schools
participated which was a total of 9654 pupils.
The reports are available electronically at
the following link: click
here for reports
(Top) |
