A scheme aimed at delivering anti-drugs messages to schoolchildren has been backed by Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith.

The program, Drugs Abuse Resistance Education (DARE), has been pioneered in Nottinghamshire.

Mr Duncan Smith was introduced to the scheme during a visit to Nottingham's Ambleside Junior School on Monday.

"It arms them when they go to secondary school to act as a stronger resister to drugs," he said.

'Peer pressure'

"I do think we have got an awful lot to learn nationally and I think the Government has here on this program."

Head teacher at Ambleside, Don Ward said: "They (students) are taking in some very important safety messages.

"They are learning also to resist peer pressure, to be able to say no."

The program, similar to anti-drug schemes in the United States, delivers its message to children as young as nine.