Preventing Drug Misuse
The Road to Recovery recognises that reducing future demand for drugs can only be achieved by addressing the root causes of problem drug use. Evidence shows that problem drug use occurs in both urban and rural areas, but there are strong and clear links between problem drug use and deprivation. Scotland has highly concentrated pockets of intense deprivation with multiple social problems, where illegal drug markets are more likely to take hold and flourish. There is work underway across Government to address poverty, deprivation and inequality. The strategy makes clear that real long-term success will only come by increasing economic growth; enhancing children's experience in their early years; promoting mental health and wellbeing; and improving universal services for young people.
This approach is complemented by the role that the reform of our education system through, Curriculum for Excellence, will play in promoting resilience, confidence, independent thinking and positive attitudes and specific action on substance misuse education and information. The draft learning outcomes and experiences, (together with guidance on the Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) (Scotland) Act 2007), cover learning in mental, emotional, social and physical health, including substance misuse. An expert group has been established to sharpen up the delivery of substance misuse education in schools, particularly through proposals for much more effective partnership working with external visitors, including health professionals.
More emphasis is also being placed on the role of parents or carers in educating their own family about drug misuse. The Government recently issued a drugs information booklet 'Drugs - What every parent should know' providing credible and accurate information to parents and grandparents across Scotland enabling them to speak to children about drugs.