Agency warns of child drug abuse

The Government is not doing enough to stop drug abuse among children, an influential body has warned.

Unless further action is taken, more young people will experiment with illicit substances, said the Health Development Agency (HDA).

The warning came after a review by the agency of drug programmes used in England and Wales. Findings suggested drug prevention campaigns in schools can delay and reduce substance misuse in the short term but " just say no" pro --grammes do not work.

Professor Mike Kelly of the HDA said: "We need investment in targeted support programmes that will help vulnerable children in deprived areas as well as comprehensive drug prevention programmes for all children."