A NUMBER of agencies are joining together to deliver a Drugs Awareness Day to pupils at Swadelands School at Lenham, near Maidstone.

Maidstone and Malling Police, Kent County Council, Kent Ambulance Service, the Kenward Trust Grey Zebra and Healthy Schools will all take part in the special event which is being held this Thursday (July 14).

The event will consist of six sessions: drugs and attitudes, general drugs awareness, drugs and the law, drugs and first aid, alcohol risks and effects, questions and answers (involving all agencies). Parents of pupils are invited to join the Drugs Awareness Day for the last session, which starts at 2.35pm.

While the event was being planned, pupils were consulted with regards to what they want to get out of the day.

In addition, it has been ensured that the aims of the event are consistent with Swadelands School’s ethos and policy on drugs education as well as with national and local guidance.

Maidstone and Malling Youth Crime Reduction Officer, PC Martin Carter said: “This will be a fantastic opportunity to speak to young people frankly about drugs from a number of different angles.

"I hope we will also get a good response in terms of parents who decide to attend the final session, as they are often the strongest single influence in their children’s lives.

"The fear of disappointing a parent, when there is a close relationship, is the biggest deterrent to risk-taking behaviour for young people, so there is a lot that parents can do to help.

"We are very grateful for the support from Swadelands School in allowing us to pilot this project, which will be subject to a full evaluation prior to it being offered to other schools to form part of their drug education plan.”