Children as young as five are to be taught about the dangers of drugs in a new measure to tackle the menace.

Teachers in primary schools across Bradford are set to be trained as drug co-ordinators as figures show that a small number of the district's children could be heroin users by the age of ten.

The move is an extension of the programme already under way in upper schools where hand-picked teachers are specially-trained to help children suspected of substance abuse.

It has been prompted by increasing signs of use of drugs, alcohol and cigarettes by primary school pupils and also aims to combat the impact on children of drug use by family members.

The co-ordinators will also take a lead in developing health education amid evidence that early teaching about the dangers of drugs discourages youngsters from using them in later years.

The development reflects national guidelines on extending drugs awareness in schools and is highlighted as a priority in an action plan for the district drawn up for drugs tsar Keith Hellawell.

Latest figures show about 300 of the 1,800 registered heroin addicts in the district are aged under 20, including about 20 aged under 15. On average they use the drug for five years before getting help, suggesting some will have had habits since they were only ten.

Dr Dee Kyle, director of public health at Bradford Health Authority, said: "We will tailor appropriate drugs education to the age of the child.

"By the time the real temptation comes for things like drugs, alcohol, cigarettes and sex, it's important they take decisions based on a depth of understanding of what these things do, what the risks are and why they shouldn't get involved.

"We've got to get in earlier because we don't want to be picking up the pieces afterwards."

June Sanderson, Bradford education authority adviser with special responsibility for personal, social and health education, said the co-ordinators' main role would be to help where schools had concerns about substance misuse by the child or within their family in liaison with other agencies. They would also develop the drugs education curriculum.

Mark Newman, head teacher at Denholme First School and a national council member of the National Association of Head Teachers, said the levels of drug use in under tens were likely to be extremely low.

"Nevertheless this is the society we are living in and schools must take a full part in raising awareness."

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