In the pop charts, in the playground, on every street corner, drugs are openly discussed. So how much do children know?

Observer

Natasha Crowl, 12 Newcastle
'I've had drugs education at school but I was not impressed. I'm in favour of former users coming into school to speak to pupils. They've experienced it all. I would approach the school if I had to, for advice, but would probably first ask an adult who knows about drugs, or ask at the youth club. I don't think it's best for parents to tell children because they probably won't take much notice. Young people would rather listen to their friends. Adults should be more honest with young people about the drugs experiences they had when they were younger.'

Joseph Waggott, 11 Birmingham
'I am not aware of the exact effects of illegal drugs, but I know that any drugs other than medical drugs should not be taken.

I've never seen any, but I've heard stories about young people who smoke drugs in the toilets of their school.

I haven't had any drugs education yet, and neither have any of my friends from other schools. I don't know if we will have it further up the school. Drugs education is a good idea as it gets the message across that drugs are harmful and you could die if you take them.'

Jamie Fletcher, 13 London
'I watched a play at school recently about drugs, telling us how it can affect your life. It made me realise how stupid drugs are and how people can waste their lives taking them.

We're always being given stuff at school asking us what we think about drugs, which I think is a good thing.

On my estate there is obviously a lot of drugs about. There are a lot of drugs on TV too.

In dramas they don't always tell you how bad drugs are, and sometimes they make them seem glamorous which I think is bad.'

Conor Magowen Greene, 11 Belfast
'Drug use is not always as bad as the Government makes out. On some adverts it says that drugs ruin your life. In some cases such as heroin this is true, but not in all cases. Smoking cigarettes and cigars is equal if not worse than smoking marijuana. If the Government made marijuana legal, drugs-related crime would probably go down. If it was sold like cigarettes or beer there's less chance you would be offered harder drugs. Police work would also be cut down. I would say one in four teenagers has claimed to have tried marijuana.'

Mariya Beekhun, 10 London
'I was probably about eight years old when I first became aware of what drugs were. My mum and I talk about drugs often, and she's always open with me about those kinds of things. She's also bought books for me on why drugs are bad for your health. In year four, my class watched a video on why you should stay away from drugs. The video explained the difference between the kinds of drugs you can get from the doctor, and illegal drugs that you shouldn't take. When you take these drugs, you're not just ruining your health, you can also ruin your life.'

Myles McCormick, 11 Belfast
'If smoking cigarettes is legal then smoking cannabis should be too because it does less harm to your health, and it's not addictive.

Some people, not my friends, smoke dope occasionally. To some of them, doing that is a normal part of teenage life.

I think it is unfair that celebrities like Prince Harry should get such bad publicity for smoking dope. Most people will try some form of drug at least once in their life without anyone taking much notice. Adults should not simply say "Don't do drugs" to teenagers; that doesn't work.'

Melissa Skinner, 11 Newcastle
'More should be done in schools to inform young people about drugs, but it must be done in an interesting way.

I think it would be better for young people to learn about drugs by talking to other young people. You might take more notice of people your own age than you would an adult.

The way to tackle the availability of drugs is to legalise some of them. If they were legal, people wouldn't pay as much money to get them. Drug dealers wouldn't be able to make money and would go out of business.'

Jonathan Ijoyah, 11 London
'I've not yet had any drugs education at school, although I have read a book on the subject from the library.

I remember, when I was about five or six years old, picking up a used syringe on my estate and not knowing what it was. My mum told me to put it down and told me never to pick up things like that again.

I've seen reports on the news about what drugs can do to you and that they're really bad. They made me realise what a terrible thing drugs were and that I would never want to take any.'