PRIMARY school children as young as 10 are to be targeted by police in a ground-breaking new anti-drugs initiative for East Lancashire.

Officers from Lancashire Constabulary's Eastern Division Crime Prevention Unit based in Blackburn are currently considering the content of an educational programme which will include talking to 10 and 11-year-old youngsters about the dangers of taking drugs.

The plans could be up and running within a year under the guidance of drugs education experts and police headquarters.

School liason officers in the team, which covers Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley, believe the children are not too young to be given drugs advice.

PC Adrienne Chadwick, one of three school liaison officers in the team, explained: "We already speak to children in year six about personal safety and include a quiz.

"When I have asked them to name any illegal drugs they demonstrate they do know about these things and have a wider knowledge than most people expect. "We are considering an education package for that age group but it does need some careful consideration and the drugs unit at police headquarters will have a lot of input.

"Some children who live and play out in areas where there are drug users are very vulnerable."and susceptible to following the example and "This information will benefit them, while in other areas I'm sure the information about drugs will be quite an eyeopener and some parents are against us speaking to them about the problem."

Head of the team, Sergeant Alan Holt added: "Parents have to realise that children need to be aware of the dangers of society whether they be tobacco, alcohol or drugs.

"Personally, I think the sooner children realise the dangers involved the better, then they can make their own choices.""We cannot force people not to drink, smoke or take drugs but we can make sure they have the right information and advice."

The crime prevention team has compiled a leaflet entitled A Parents Guide to Drugs and Solvents, designed to help parents talk to their children about the problem.

The guide includes information to help if, for instance, they suspect their child may already be taking drugs.

It can be obtained from Blackburn and Accrington police stations or by calling the crime prevention unit on 01254 353540.

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