Calls for alcohol education to be taught at school

Alcohol education should be part of the national curriculum along with relationship and drug education according to a Labour MP.

Diana Johnson, the MP for Kingston upon Hull North, said that school education needs to be more than just teaching academic subjects, to help young people deal with the pressures of modern living.

Johnson said: “Growing up today is full of wonderful opportunities and freedoms for our young people, but it’s also probably the most challenging time ever to be a young person faced with questions such as ‘my mates are drinking, should I drink and if so how much?’, ‘what are legal highs, because they are legal are they safe?’ and ‘what does a healthy relationship look like?’

“Like many MPs I feel the role of education is much more than just teaching a limited range of academic subjects. It has a powerful role in preparing and equipping young people for life with the knowledge and skills to deal with complexities of living in a modern, fast-changing world.

“Along with support from parents and families, we need to recognise that schools have a vital part to play in producing confident, well-informed young people.”

Johnson added that specific, well-planned programmes could have a “measurable impact” on young people’s behaviour in relation to the use of alcohol, tobacco and cannabis.

She said: “Young people need the opportunity to consider, reflect, evaluate, discuss and reach conclusions about drugs, alcohol and relationships in a safe, educational environment.”

Although Johnson’s Bill was given an unopposed first reading and listed for a second reading, it is unlikely to become law due to a lack of Parliamentary time.