Drugs education funding to be cut?

It seems that according to this item on the BBC's website that funding for drug education in schools and amongst excluded pupils is to be cut.

Apparently government says drug use is down. Well it maybe but that is not the point. Class A drug use isn't and there are still far to many young people using drugs.

As people know to well the drug use itself is not half as big a problem to the community as the things associated with it like anti social behaviour, and leaving drug paraphernalia lying about in children's play areas. What is more continuing drug use causes crime, and log term problems for the individual. In that context this seems to be a false economy. We all know that part of the reason for people becoming involved in drugs is peer pressure. It seems to follow that if drug use is going down, we are doing something right and need to keep it going down.

We also know that our prisons are full to over bursting point with criminals with drug problems. Clearly if we are going to solve these problems more money needs to be invested in drug education and rehabilitation not less.

I suspect the real reason for the cuts is that this government is having trouble managing its budgets despite the vast increases in tax that we have had over the years.

Innovative Youth Crime measure. Apparently Prison Works!

Well, according to this article here on the local BBC news website, Arun District council sent some 11 to 15 year olds to Lewis prison which is an adult prison. They were for the most part involved in low level anti social behavior. They spent there time being shown around, being searched, seeing the exercise yard and hearing from inmates.

Apparently they did not like it, and the message has sunk in. What is more they are likely to circulate it to their friends. Reports so far are good.

I have been there myself as a delivery driver (when I was at University) and I can tell you it is a grim place. I certainly would not want to go there!

I'd like to say well done to the council for the scheme. I wonder what other innovative schemes there are out there to help children get back on the straight and narrow?