Should Education on Drug Use Be More Prevalent in Schools?

The prominence of drugs in society has changed a lot over the years. Long gone are the days where we’d see it on Grange Hill, a popular BBC television show, and it was a big thing. The normalization of drug use in everyday life has become more pervasive, blurring the lines between conversation and serious concern.

The ultimate warning sign? Noel Gallager in the 1990s claimed taking drugs were “like getting up and having a cup of tea in the morning”, stating most people took drugs in the UK.

And while that is far from the truth, the sentiment is sort of true. Drug use has been normalised, whether it be through television, music or just within the community people grow up in, with them more accessible than ever before. However, the dangers and problems they cause are far less so.

While you might find a TV drama with people taking drugs in a nightclub. It’s far less common to see them in drug rehab further down the line. Which means education is key in order to get the full context and scope of drug consumption. And it’s perhaps in school where education should be at its peak.

However, there’s a large number of people who believe more should be done in schools to make children understand the risks of drugs earlier and in more detail. But what can schools do exactly?

Addressing Gaps in Current Drug Education

While drug education does exist in schools, its quality and consistency vary widely. Many programmes focus heavily on scaring students with the dangers of drug use, employing shock tactics that may not always be effective. Studies show that fear-based approaches can be less impactful because students, particularly teenagers, tend to rebel against or dismiss messages that feel exaggerated or disconnected from their experiences. Furthermore, these methods can fail to address the complex social and emotional reasons why young people might turn to drugs.

Another issue is that current drug education is often too limited, both in frequency and scope. In many schools, drug education is delivered sporadically—perhaps as part of a one-off session or assembly or embedded in a broader health class that touches on many different topics. For education on drug use to be truly effective, it needs to be integrated into the curriculum in a way that allows for regular engagement. One or two lessons are unlikely to be enough to address the nuanced challenges young people face.

A Holistic Approach to Drug Education

To truly make a difference, schools should consider adopting a more holistic approach to drug education—one that moves beyond merely presenting the facts about drugs. Comprehensive drug education should include information on mental health, emotional wellbeing, and the impact of drugs on family and society, while also addressing the social pressures students may face.

Moreover, education about drug use should be tailored to the age and maturity level of students. For younger children, it might focus on the importance of making healthy choices and resisting peer pressure, while for older students, it could involve more detailed discussions about the physical, emotional, and social consequences of drug use. Importantly, it should also teach students how to seek help if they, or someone they know, is struggling with substance misuse.

Parents and communities can also play an important role in reinforcing the messages delivered in schools. Schools should consider providing resources and workshops for parents, so they feel empowered to have open and informed conversations with their children about drugs.

The Role of Schools in Promoting Wellbeing

Another argument in favour of making drug education more prevalent in schools is the fact that schools are increasingly seen as key places for promoting overall mental and physical wellbeing. With rising awareness of the importance of mental health, many schools are already focusing more on emotional education, mindfulness, and resilience-building.

Drug education fits naturally within this broader emphasis on wellbeing. After all, the use of drugs is often tied to emotional struggles such as anxiety, depression, or stress. By promoting wellbeing and offering students the tools they need to manage their emotions, schools can potentially reduce the likelihood that young people will turn to drugs as a coping mechanism.

Preparing Students for a Changing World

Finally, expanding drug education in schools is essential given the constantly changing landscape of substance misuse. In recent years, vaping, prescription drug misuse, and synthetic drugs like fentanyl have become major concerns, and many young people may not fully understand the dangers associated with these substances. Schools have an obligation to keep students informed about these emerging risks, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to make safe and healthy decisions.