Schools drug-abuse lectures axed

Press, 11 July 1979, Page 4

Schools drug-abuse lectures axed

PA Wellington The National Society on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence has withdrawn its school-lecture service on the basis that prevention programmes are counter-productive. Former school pupils counselled by the society are now believed to be in jail for drug trafficking. The society, which has voluntarily gone into schools to warn pupils of the dangers of drug abuse, has for some time felt uneasy about the value of lectures, according to its executive direct'” (Mr Roy Johnston). He said glue and lighter-fluid sniffing was still a big problem in primary schools, while

cannabis had a hold in secondary schools. The society had decided it was better to say nothing to pupils about the matter and assume a “stand-off” attitude. The society had no intention of bowing out of its wider community-edu-cation role. Its decision was based on research done by the Council for Educational Research and on overseas evidence which pointed to the counter-productive nature of drug-prevention programmes in schools. The society would still send drug-information pamphlets to schools on request but felt it more beneficial to concentrate on educating the community as a whole.

The use of drugs in schools. was merely a reflection of the “propensity of adult society to jump to chemical aids at the drop of a hat.” Adding to the problem was the promotion of the recreational use of drugs in some pop songs. Mr Johnston had reservations about a drug-edu-cation programme started by the Education department. The department had not consulted the society or, as far as he knew, other outside bodies and appeared to be working in isolation.

The department’s spokesman on health education, Mr P. McPherson, said it had consulted outside organisations, including Mr Johnston.