Communications and campaigns

Tackling Drugs. Changing Lives

The drug strategy is making a tangible difference to communities, families and individuals across the country. Together we are tackling drugs and changing lives.

We aim to work with our partners in the regions, and with the local and national media, to highlight our successes in tackling the misuse of drugs. This section of the website has been designed to help you join us in getting the message of Tackling Drugs Changing Lives out to our local communities.  

Together we are tackling drugs and changing lives

Communications have a key role in addressing the harms caused by drugs.  Our knowledge of effective communications has developed substantially since the 1998 drug strategy.  We now offer credible and well-used drug advice and information using the media most used by our target audience (internet, magazines, and social networking sites).

Key 2008 drug strategy communication actions

• Improve support and information for parents
• Extend use of FRANK
• Develop better community-based communications
• More national events

Improve support and information for parents

The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), the Home Office and the Department of Health lead on communications campaigns targeted at young people and families.

We will bring together a partnership of leading young people's and parents'  organisations to engage and communicate with parents.  This will enable us to find out what information  and suport can be provided to parents to help them, tackle drug related problems.

Parents of children who may be at increased risk will be particulalry targetred to give them the facts about drugs.  This will enable them to have a positive influence over their children in an informed way.  DCSF will also explore cobmbining messages to parents across a range of issues.

Extend Use of Frank

We remain committed to the FRANK campaign.  This will use ia mix of media and technologies to talk to young people about the risks and effects of drug use.  Local partnerships will receive support to run local drug awareness campaigns with links to FRANK where appropriate.

In line with the Government's alcohol strategy, research will be undertaken to develop an evidence base for an alcohol campaign targeting under 18s.

Following completion of the DCSF review of drug education, FRANK will

• complement wider drug education objectives
• become a portal for young people to access drug treatment or support
• offer a supported online programme for cannabis users

Develop Better Community-based communications

The Home Office and partner agencies have lead responsibility for effective communications to make communities safer.  Together we will develop wider communications for communities affected by drug-related crime.  The roll out of Neighbourhood Policing, will ensure that communities know how to report drug-related crime and increase understanding of what is being done to tackle it.

Work will be undertaken with local agencies to reduce public perception of drug use and dealings in their area.  Local partnerships will inform and reassure communities that drug use and dealing is being tackled.  For example, we will support and champion the roll-out of local campaigns such as 'Rat on a Rat' which maximises community intelligence , identified drug dealers and disrupt drug markets.

More National Events

National Tackling Drug Week and Tackling Drugs Changing Lives Awards will help engage communities in work being done locally to make their communities drug-free.  The Governement will also work with national and local role models to bring to life the difference being made across the country.

By sharing with the community the positive outcomes achieved for drug misuse through a range of interventions, we will demonstrate the effectiveness of coherent interventions and the role of the community in supporting those outcomes.

 

 

See Also

• Events
• Positive Futures
• Blueprint
• Communities
• Case studies