School drug prevention programmes under attack, says expert

SCHOOL drug prevention programmes do not work and promote “propaganda”, according to a leading education expert.

Teacher and author Julian Cohen said such programmes were based on “false assumptions” and could increase drug use. “Drug education does not stop or prevent drug use,” said Mr Cohen. “Shock and scare tactics may sometimes be counterproductive and may even increase experimentation.”

He told a conference organised by the Addiction Research Centre in Trinity College Dublin that drug prevention programmes are based on false assumptions. These include: