Anti-drugs game educates pupils

Five-to seven-year-olds are to be given a specially developed board game explaining the dangers of drugs, and the initiative may be extended to nursery children. The game, which is similar to snakes and ladders, has been developed by Scotland Against Drugs (SAD), the country's main Government-funded agency. The free game, which will be distributed by schools, is designed for children to play at home with parents and carers.

Alistair Ramsay, SAD director, said, 'The prototype is ready to go to the printers now and then we will pilot it in primary schools around Scotland.

'Once we have received feedback we will look at the age of children, but initially it is aimed at five-to seven-year-olds. The game has two aims: first, to get parents and children to collaborate over discussions on drugs; then to help young children learn that they should never take medicines that are not prescribed for them, and to never take things given by a stranger. It is all about good health and safety, and there is no mention of heroin or cocaine. We thought there was a need for a resource that gives children the opportunity to look at drugs and how they can affect them.'