War against drugs has largely failed, says children’s expert

THE so-called war against drugs is unwinnable and campaigns to persuade young people to say no to drugs have largely failed, a leading children’s expert said yesterday.

Shane Butler, of Trinity’s Children’s Research Centre said at the launch of a new programme to direct young people away from the misuse of drugs and drink, that slogan-based campaigns such as Just Say No or, Smile, You’re on Heroin were not effective.

The research centre is working with the ISPCC to develop and run a programme aimed at identifying those at risk of abuse, appointing a mentor to encourage and support that person, and try to prevent that person from leaving school early.