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| Why Teach Drug Education? |
Drug Education should be part of the entitlement of
those with Special Educational Needs to education which promotes a
safe and positive lifestyle. 'Special Needs' covers such a wide range
of needs and abilities that Drug Education programmes will need to
be adapted to your class abilities and needs. Drugs Education should
include education about safe use and risks of medication, and the
effects of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs (including solvents) on
physical and emotional health.
Drugs Education is not just about knowledge - it is about creating
a context for that knowledge which relates to the potential life experiences
of the individual. It is therefore as important to consider attitudes
and beliefs about drugs and the self and to practice skills to make
decisions and resist unhelpful influences.
For some, taking control of their decisions around drug use, including
medication, can be an important part of how they feel about themselves.
Developing protective behaviour around drugs, such as alcohol, in
social situations can be an important part of skills for independant
living. |
| How/When to Teach Drug Education |
Because drugs education is about skills and attitudes as well as
knowledge there are many opportunities to be found across the curriculum
through Science / RE / The Environment / Emotional Literacy work.
Assertiveness and other life skills are relevant to so many situations.
These skills can be extended to encompass situations which may involve
drugs, as well as more generally through dedicated PSHE time. Ofsted
recommend that at least 1 hour per week is devoted to PSHE generally
and about 5-7 hours of this be dedicated to drugs education across
the curriculum (knowledge, skills and attitudes) per year.
Visitors can assist in delivery (see
also section on using visitors)
Start young and build on knowledge, skills and attitudes through a
spiral curriculum and a positive ethos and environment.
Reinforce positive safety and health messages through the ethos and
environment of the school. |
| Supporting Drug Education Through the School
environment and Ethos: |
Special Schools - some ideas
- One school encouraged a 'buddy system' so that students
can support each other with their medication needs and awareness
- Where appropriate, encourage students (may need consent of
parents too) to openly discuss medications as safety with these
drugs as medication is often a prominent part of school life
*NB. this may be less appropriate in mainstream school - see next
section.
- Be explicit about safety procedures with medicines in school
- Consider using visits to the hospital or nurse as a drug education
opportunity with intended outcomes
- Displays and signage around school can create positive approaches
to drugs education as well as signposting pupils, staff, parents
and carers to services and support
- Involve parents if you can, they can support drug education
better if they know the content and approach you take to drug
education - it will help them to give consistent messages at home.
It may be appropriate to access some education and support for
parents with special needs
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| SEN in Mainstream Schools: Inclusion |
During planning develop the PSHE framework to link with specific
special needs in your school
- Consider providing separate sessions for SEN pupils to give
proper opportunities to develop their skills
- Again, encourage a 'buddy system' so that students
can support each other with their medication needs and awareness
- Avoid using personal examples or stories or focusing on the
experiences of pupils on medication in the class or group Only
ever use 'personal' examples of medication use to
illustrate drugs education if the persons involved are happy about
it - avoid situations which may 'single out'
or isolate a young person with special needs. Be aware that this
may not be the most positive kind of attention, even if the child
enjoys it, with regards to their inclusion in the group
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