Government reports deaths from drug misuse are at highest since 2001
The children’s charity, Coram, today announces it is bringing on board the charity
Life Education, now called Coram Life Education. This innovative partnership unites
the UK’s oldest children’s charity with the largest charity providing healthcare
education to children in Britain.
This amalgamation sees two influential children’s charities respond to the national
issue of children and young people’s well-being and the need for innovative
partnerships to tackle it.
Evidence that drug and alcohol education needs to start early during a child’s
formative years for it to be effective is clear:
· A quarter of children aged 11 to 15 admit to having taken drugs
· In 2008 deaths involving cocaine increased by 20% compared with
2007
· The number of under 18s admitted to hospital after drinking alcohol
has risen by 80% in five years
· 70% of children come before the family proceedings courts because
their parent has a serious problem with alcohol, drugs or both.
There is impressive strength and breadth in this combination: Coram works with over
10,000 children, young people and their families each year, often when difficulties are
entrenched. Coram has vast experience of working with parents to encourage young
people’s education and development at home.
Reaching up to one million children and parents across 4,000 schools every year,
Coram Life Education helps educate children, young people and their parents about
healthy choices, including prevention of drug and alcohol misuse.
Life Education, as it was previously known, utilises interactive mobile units to teach
preventative health messages to primary school children so they make smart choices
as young people. These messages contribute to existing Personal, Social and Health
Education curriculum (PSHE). There is a national consultation currently underway to
make PSHE compulsory in schools.
Dr Carol Homden, Chief Executive, Coram:
‘We need to be doing more for parents and children to tackle drug and alcohol abuse.
More than one million children in the UK come from homes where drinking and
serious drug use is a problem. From our work in Adoption and the Family Drug and
Alcohol Court, in particular, Coram knows only too well the consequences of
substance misuse for children. If they think this kind of behaviour is normal it can be
all too easy for them to take the wrong path, compromise their future and set the
cycle in motion again with their own children.’
Stephen Burgess, National Director, Coram Life Education:
‘Today’s news about rising drug deaths shows again the urgent need to help young
people learn the skills they need to make the right choices. Misuse of alcohol and
drugs among British young people is shocking. Kids are very much aware but don’t
fully appreciate the dangers. They need to learn from professionally trained teachers
and properly informed parents about how to grow up safely in a society where drugs
are an increasing menace. We are excited about teaming up with Coram to be able
to carry this education on into the home, helping parents and children to learn the
skills they need to make the right choices.’
Richard Black, Head of Merger and Collaborative Working at the Charity
Commission:
“Good communication, planning and a shared goal have brought this collaboration
(between Coram and Life Education) to fruition which is very pleasing.”
-ends-
For more information or to arrange an interview with Dr Carol Homden or Stephen
Burgess please call Roberta Goldstein on 020 7520 0346 or email
