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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Anger at police drugs advice for children
Alison Gordon The Sunday Telegraph
Sunday 09 Mar 2003 A Police website that informs children that they will not be prosecuted for sniffing glue or smoking cannabis was criticised as "irresponsible" yesterday by parents. The website, set up by Greater Manchester Police to offer advice to pupils aged seven to 16, also says that there is no law against taking the drug amyl nitrite, known as "poppers". It also spells out the circumstances in which children can legally engage in under-age drinking and smoking. Officers originally defended the website, saying that its aim was to give children a clear understanding of the law and help them to become better citizens. After receiving a barrage of criticism, however, they have admitted that certain aspects of it were a "mistake" and would be changed. Charities and parents' groups expressed concern about the site last week and condemned the police for ignoring the health risks of drugs and alcohol. Margaret Morrissey, a spokesman for the National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations, said: "This is sending out entirely the wrong message to children. The police shouldn't be informing children about whether smoking, drinking and taking drugs is illegal or not, but whether it is right or wrong and that it is dangerous. "What does a parent do if a child is told by the police that it's not illegal to smoke and sniff glue, when the parent is desperately trying to discourage them? "Some children will think they can get away with smoking or drinking because they know they won't get into trouble with the police or have legal action taken against them." Among the more contentious aspects of the website is an interactive quiz in its "drugs and law" section. This asks children a series of questions, including: whether they believe it is illegal for a nine-year-old to smoke; for a 10-year-old to sit on the wall drinking cider; or for a 14-year-old to smoke cannabis? The children are then informed that they would not be breaking the law if they did any of these things. In the case of smoking they are told that there is no offence of under-age smoking and that the only offence is for shopkeepers to sell cigarettes to children under 16. The reference to a child drinking cider on a wall is dealt with by informing pupils that it is only an offence for an under-age person to drink in a bar or licensed premises. The cannabis reply says that it is not illegal to smoke the drug, although it does say that possession of it is against the law. In another section, children are given case studies about children drinking, smoking and taking drugs and asked whether they are breaking the law. Among the examples cited is that of "Hifsa", a 13-year-old girl, who buys cigarettes in a shop. Game players are informed that this is legal. In another scenario, two boys, "Gary" and "Paul" are sitting in a park sniffing glue when a policeman arrives. The quiz participants are told that the boys are not doing anything illegal. Turning Point, a charity that campaigns to prevent substance abuse, said that while it welcomed attempts to educate children, the police had to ensure that the dangers of drugs were clearly set out. "People, especially young people, need more than the bald facts about drugs," said a spokesman for the charity. "They must be balanced by information and guidance about health and given clarity about the serious consequences of substance misuse." Department of Health figures show that glue sniffing and its effects caused the deaths of 27 young people in 2000, the most recent year for which statistics are available. The website, www.education.ntu.ac.uk/gmp, was built by Nottingham Trent University and funded by a Greater Manchester police trust registered charity, as part of the force's school liaison programme. Greater Manchester Police last night admitted that mistakes had been made with the site. Sgt Trevor Pile, the force's school youth liaison officer, said: "I agree with the concerns that have been raised. "We have just put in the legal side without addressing the health issues and the concerns about young people smoking and taking drugs. We shall look at it and see what amendments need to be made."
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