Case studies

Background to the project
The Drugs Education Team is an innovative way of implementing DfES guidance for schools. It works to provide a consistent approach to school-based drugs education across four unitary authorities and 280 schools in Hartlepool, Stockton, Redcar and Middlesborough.

The team consists of staff from education, health promotion and the police (an officer is seconded from the Cleveland force) ensuring that it is a multi-agency approach to drugs education. They work with schools to train teachers, school governors, parents and ancillary staff such as caretakers, on drugs education issues.

The team supports schools to develop drugs policies and education programmes which can be adapted to suit the particular circumstances of individual schools (e.g. faith schools) but which are based on a coherent and consistent approach. The project is linked with the Healthy Schools programme and co-ordinated with local school drugs co-ordinators.   

What makes it different
The multi-disciplinary nature of the team and the whole school approach, which not only advises on drugs policies but also looks at how all school staff deal with drug-related incidents. Implementing consistent drugs education policies and teacher training across a large area with four local authorities means the project is an unusual example.

The team works with parents via schools, providing drugs awareness sessions and implementing the PRIDE model (Parents Role in Drug Education) which engages parents both in the classroom and through homework. The team use creative techniques such as puppetry to help teachers deliver the PHSE curriculum on drugs awareness.

Last Updated: 29/07/2003