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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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.

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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
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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

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