School-based drug education in Northeast Scotland - policy, planning and practice
Year: 2003
Type: dissertation
Abstract: This research utilised qualitative methods to gain a deeper insight into the policy,\nplanning and practice of school-based drug education than had previously been\nachieved in Scotland. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with staff in nine\nGrampian secondary schools together with a case study of one school. The case study\ninvolved direct lesson observations as well as in-depth interviews and feedback sessions\nwith stakeholders in drug education including staff and 48 pupils. In both parts of the\nstudy schools were selected by theoretical sampling, each interview was transcribed in\nfull and all data were annotated and analysed with the aid of specialist computer\nsoftware. Validity and reliability were enhanced by constant vigilance in data analysis\nand by various procedures including reactivity analysis, peer examination,triangulation\nand consideration of any potential bias on the part of the researcher. The highest\nstandards of ethics were applied throughout the study.\nWhereas previous studies have revealed the lack of impact of drug education on drugtaking\nbehaviour in young people, this research is unique in attempting to explain this\nlack of impact. The research findings revealed that teaching and learning processes in\ndrug education were below best practice as defined by the relevant research literature\nand national guidelines. Four key underlying issues were identified: (1) A lack of clarity\nand understanding about the goals of drug education;( 2) A lack of time and support for\nresearching, planning and reviewing drug education; (3) A low priority assigned to\nPersonal and Social Education (PSE) in general; (4) A failure to recognise drug\neducation as a broad and complex subject requiring considerable expertise to teach.\nFundamental changes to how drug education is approached both locally and nationally\nwould be required to resolve these issues in full. Ihe nature of these changes is\ndiscussed in detail in the thesis.
Author: Niamh Fitzgerald
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W190728472