One in four high school children offered drugs
A quarter of high school pupils in South Ayrshire have been offered drugs, research from the council and government showed.
Out of thousands of kids interviewed in the area, 25 per cent of secondary children said they were offered illegal substances.
Eleven per cent admitted taking at least one drug.
The worrying figure revealing children’s exposure to the addictive substances emerged when 6,250 local pupils took part in a survey.
Councillor Martin Dowey, a retired police officer, said: “Drugs change lives.
“They destroy families, marriages and relationships. There is nothing sexy about drugs. In the modern society drugs are readily available.
“All you can do is educate.
“The campus cops in schools do a good job.”
Drugs worker Claire Purdie recommends parents and carers should talk to their children about the problem rather than brushing it under the carpet.
Ms Purdie, from drug and alcohol charity We Are With You in South Ayrshire, said: “Bringing it into the conversation at an appropriate time and when everyone is calm can lead to honest discussions.
“You can ask open questions and listen carefully to your youngster’s answers and thoughts. It’s important that you let them open up, but resist the urge to make judgements or use threatening language.”
She warned parents to leave the conversation for another time if they feel angry or defensive.
Ms Purdie said: “Any negative reaction from you at this point could lead to the young person making a mental note to keep things away from you in future and not to confide.”
A council spokesman laid out what schools are doing to fight drug dealers.
He said: “We work closely with all our schools to ensure there is clear guidance and education on substance misuse.
“Children are educated from an early age through to the senior phase in secondary schools. We have consulted with young people on the most effective forms of drug education.
“Our secondary schools and associated primaries also have access to campus police officers who regularly support staff on delivering the anti-drugs message. Some of our schools have also offered support sessions to parents and carers.”
The health and wellbeing survey, which revealed the drug problem also shed light on other issues teens are dealing with.
It revealed that 27 per cent of secondary school pupils had drunk alcohol in the last week.
Nearly one in five of them (19 per cent) have smoked a cigarette.
Seven per cent described themselves as smokers.
Also, sadly 17 per cent of pupils reported a high level of emotional and behavioural problems.
The research is part of work on a project called Realigning Children’s Services being carried out by South Ayrshire Council and the Scottish Government.
Information from the survey, which was carried out last year could be used to improve childrens’ lives.
The results were included in the South Ayrshire Children’s Plan, which was presented to councillors in March this year.
It is important that you let them open up, but resist the urge to make judgements