Two Dundee schools have expressed an interest in using “scratch and sniff” cards to educate pupils about the dangers of drugs, it has been revealed.
The pioneering idea was developed by Fife print specialists, St Andrew Print Solutions and CAIR Scotland, a Dundee-based drug and alcohol charity.
The cards contain inks mimicking the smells of four commonly used drugs — cannabis weed, cannabis resin, mephedrone and amphetamine — and provide information about the negative effects of so called “legal highs”.
St Andrew Print solutions owner Ralph Chalmers said that he was pleased with the interest expressed by Dundee High School and Harris Academy, but was disappointed that the majority of schools in the area rejected his idea.
He said: “We wrote to all the high schools in the area around six or eight weeks ago and sent some sample cards.
“We have had little feedback from Dundee schools, apart from Dundee High School who were keen to use the cards.
“Harris Academy said they may be interested, and to contact them when their new premises officially open in August.
“Other schools are saying that they don’t have enough funds, and this is a theme that comes up again and again with schools, charities and other organisations.
“We seem to be hitting a brick wall and I’m asking myself, when did all the funding for education on drugs dry up?”
Mr Chalmers explained that he was not an expert on drugs, but was inspired to develop the cards after carrying out printing work for the police.
His firm found a way of replicating the aroma of drugs on paper, using inks.
He added: “This is similar to how ladies perfume samples are advertised in magazines.
“The difference is that we’re trying to put young people off drugs, due to their terrible smell.
“Drugs are a huge problem in our society, and we’re trying to do something about it.”
