Volatile substance abuse within a health education context.

1. Drug education has to involve exposure not only to knowledge about drug and volatile substance abuse, but also to the effect that attitudes, values, external influences and personal and social skills have on drug behaviour. 2. Such education has also to consider the methods used, the learning process itself, and the need for self-esteem to be enhanced during this process. 3. There is a need to develop personal and social skills which will form the foundation for considering areas such as volatile substance abuse. The school must be supported by the home and by the community. 4. A range of practical resources produced by TACADE (The Advisory Council on Alcohol and Drug Education) allow the translation of this theory of drug education into a practical approach within education.