29 Aug 2008

Doubt cast on drugs programme for schools

6:13 am on 29 August 2008

New research casts doubt over whether drug and alcohol education programmes for school children actually work.

In a soon-to-be published paper, researchers say the programmes are not effective in reducing substance-related harm.

The Centre for Social and Health Outcomes Research and Evaluation at Massey University, which conducted the review, says the school-based programmes do a good job giving pupils information.

However, it says the problem is that a quite small intervention in the classroom is really trying to change behaviour that is deeply embedded in society.

The centre suggests the Government look at more cost-effective ways of preventing harm related to drugs and drink.