The Role of Medical Professionals in Imparting Drug Abuse Education to Secondary School Children

KUMAR KP

Published on: 2023-12-12

Abstract

Objectives: Research on drug abuse education in secondary schools have highlighted the discrepancy between drug policies and practice. Drug abuse is closely associated with child mental health and with increasing drug overdose deaths in the UK, approximately doubling in the last 30 years , it becomes important to revolutionise drug abuse education. Medical professionals from the University of Nottingham piloted a drug abuse workshop at a state school in Nottingham to children between the age of 14-15 years. An interactive and educational approach was implemented which explained addiction through a medical perspective. The workshop aimed to debunk medical beliefs children harboured about drugs and to support children in making informed drug choices.

Objectives: Research on drug abuse education in secondary schools has highlighted the discrepancy between drug policies and practice. Drug abuse is closely associated with child mental health and with increasing drug overdose deaths in the UK, approximately doubling in the last 30 years, it becomes important to revolutionise drug abuse education. Medical professionals from the University of Nottingham piloted a drug abuse workshop at a state school in Nottingham to children between the age of 14-15 years. An interactive and educational approach was implemented which explained addiction through a medical perspective. The workshop aimed to debunk medical beliefs children harboured about drugs and to support children in making informed drug choices.