All Kent schools must have a drug education policy in place by 2004

A report has shown that about four in 10 of the county's 620 primary and secondary schools do little to warn of the risks.

The Drug Use and Misuse study was commissioned by a cross-party select committee investigating the effectiveness of Kent County Council's drug and alcohol services.

Councillors were told 10% of young people aged 11 to 15 in Kent smoke regularly - and a quarter of all schoolchildren have tried an average of 10 units of alcohol a week.

We found children of younger and younger ages are becoming exposed to drugs so education needs to start early Dr Tony Robinson, Kent County Council

Drug misuse in Kent is estimated to cost the county between �90m and �160m in treatment, education, enforcement, crime, disruption to employers and social exclusion.

The report says: "Not enough schools in Kent recognise their role in protecting young people from drugs; in 2002 only 59% of schools in Kent had a drugs policy.

"All schools will have to have a policy in place by spring 2004."

The report said all schools must follow the guidelines whether or not staff considered the school to have a drug problem.

Dr Tony Robinson, who chaired the committee, said: "Prevention is key. We found children of younger and younger ages are becoming exposed to drugs so education needs to start early.

'Prevention is key'

"The county council has produced a model drug strategy for all schools. We will monitor its effectiveness."

Dr Robinson said the committee disagreed with the government's proposals for the re-classification of cannabis from a category B to a category C drug.

"We do not support the re-classification and believe education programmes should continue to emphasise that cannabis is both illegal and harmful."

He said the council would call on the government's National Treatment Agency to provide more money for drugs treatment facilities.

Evidence for the study was collected from witnesses in the government, health service, police and voluntary groups providing drug treatment and education, as well as from drug patients.