London school issues warning on dangers of drug and alcohol use

THE AMY Winehouse Foundation is running a series of assemblies and workshops at Hasmonean High School to educate pupils about the dangers of drug and alcohol use — an issue “so common in the Jewish community”.

Parents have been invited to attend an information session next Tuesday evening.

In an email to parents, the school’s pastoral leaders said it had “sadly become clear that alcohol and drug use is becoming more prevalent in the Jewish community”.

More young people were “experimenting with a variety of drugs and see much of this as recreational and as part of growing up.

“As a school, we feel we can no longer ignore the issue and that an educational programme is needed.”

It was “crucial that not only are our students educated about this very important issue, but that our parents are as well.

“Many of you may be unaware that experimenting with alcohol and drugs is so common in the Jewish community and many of you may also not know the signs which show when a young person is taking drugs.”