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The article offers information on Project Advancing Wellness and Resilience in Education (AWARE) a school-based mental health grant program. It mentions that the program is administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), it also discusses the project's strategies that support community partnerships in school-based programming on violence and safe school environment; and it also includes mental health promotion for all students.

Michael Jackson's shocking accidental death in June was only the latest in a string of high-profile fatalities from multiple prescription medications. Actor Heath Ledger and the model and sex symbol Anna Nicole Smith died recently in comparable circumstances. But celebrities aren't the only abusers of painkillers, sedatives and stimulants. Prescription drug abuse has become a growing problem in the United States, even as illegal drug use has gradually declined. In 2005, for example, more people ages 45 to 54 died from drug overdoses — mostly prescription painkillers — than in car crashes. Many people believe prescription drugs are safer than illegal drugs, so changing public attitudes is a challenge. Also, many prescription narcotics are being diverted to dangerous, recreational use, but doctors, dentists and nurses are poorly informed about the potential for abuse. Meanwhile, government drug-education programs focus on illegal drugs while largely ignoring the risks of prescription abuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on a debate on British Home Office policy on anti-drugs education on October 7, 2008. Labor Party member Graham Allen of Nottingham North said that Nottingham's £750,000 Drug Aware programme would reach every young person in the city. He added that a nationwide drug education system should be first in line of defence of protecting the children of Great Britain. Allen also called for drug education to be part of a wider educational framework.

The article reports on the debate introduced by the Minister for Community Safety Fergus Ewing of the Scottish National Party (SNP) on tacking drug misuse. Ewing is planning to strengthen drugs education in Scottish schools. He adds that teachers and all those who are involved in delivering drugs education in children should be confident in their ability and should be provided with suitable resources.