Drug-related death (DRD) is a major public health problem globally, with rates in Scotland higher than any other UK region and among the highest in Europe. One of the most important public health interventions to emerge aimed at tackling rising DRD rates is the distribution of naloxone, the opioid antagonist, for peer administration. The Scottish…

Aims: The study examined normative school drug-education practice in Scotland and the extent to which it reflected the evidence base for effective drug education. Methods: Current guidance in Scotland was compared with systematic review evidence on drug-education effectiveness; a survey was mailed to primary, secondary and special schools (928…

Aims: To provide baseline data regarding GPs' knowledge, experience, and attitudes toward the management of PsychoStimulant Drug Misuse (PSDM) patients to inform future education and training initiatives. Methods: A structured cross-sectional postal questionnaire was developed following initial content setting interviews, piloted then sent to a…

The Stepping Stones board game has been developed as part of the Scotland Against Drugs School Program and is specifically intended for P1, P2 and P3 children and their parents. The game aims to promote discussion between parents and their children about early years drug education and health topics. Scotland Against Drugs (SAD) commissioned the…

This report shares the research findings of a major study on drug education in Scotland commissioned by the Scottish Office Education and Industry Department (SOEID) and carried out by the Scottish Council for Research in Education (SCRE) between September 1996 and June 1999. The project had three main aims: to provide an overview of the extent…

This report describes research carried out between 1996-99 which examined the extent and nature of drug education in Scottish schools. It explored young people's knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors about drugs and drug education and highlighted factors influencing the effectiveness of drug education. Research methodologies included a census of…

Reviews alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drug use by youth in the United Kingdom, and explores some problems with drug education in Scottish schools. Discusses teachers' lack of confidence in their own credibility as drug educators; moral dilemmas arising from values conflicts between teachers, students, and families; teacher responsibilities; and…

Scotland Against Drugs, a privately funded partnership, launched a national staff development program known as the Primary School Initiative (PSI). The initiative provides an opportunity for schools and local authorities to evaluate their drug education efforts. The training encourages teachers to develop their own drug education policies and…

"Tackling Drugs in Scotland: Action in Partnership" (1999) set out a national strategy for all government agencies in response to public concern at the increasing incidence and negative consequences of drug misuse. Targets and monitoring arrangements were publicised to encourage co-ordinated action against drug misuse. By the end of…

This report summarizes what Scottish pupils between the ages of 8 and 17 years thought they needed from health education, and compares their views with those of parents, teachers, and health professionals. All groups agreed that healthy eating and personal hygiene were major priorities for the youngest pupils. Pupils and parents also mentioned the…