Today middle and high school students will fill out surveys on their use of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco.

The questions will ask about consumption patterns, where substance abuse happens, and the risk factors facing young people. The surveys are another step in a larger effort to instil a culture of prevention at a young age.

Last week Minister of Social Rehabilitation Dale Butler announced a new drug free mascot for primary school kids.

It was unveiled before throngs of cheering children at the Frances Patton Primary School.

Now, through this National Drug Control survey, he begins to address the needs of children slightly older.

He said: “We want to develop an accurate picture of the current substance use patterns and trends, and changing attitudes and perceptions towards substance use among the school age population. Having a reliable and accurate assessment of the magnitude of the substance use problem is a prerequisite for policy making.

“It also takes away the potential for misconceptions and misallocation of resources.”

Public and private school students are taking part between grade levels M2 and S4.

Outside of the school system the Ministry has also pledged to improve residential treatment facilities and introduce halfway houses — potentially by year’s end.

But to reduce the burden on those resources Minister Butler believes his efforts should focus on prevention.

He said: “The best use of our resources is in the area of prevention. Successful prevention efforts have the potential of saving not just millions of dollars worth of taxpayers’ money, but most importantly it has the potential to save lives.”

The Communities That Care Youth Schools Survey has been conducted before — in 1994, 1997, 2000, and 2003.

The most recent survey introduced the PACT programme with brought the idea of parish level interventions designed to pinpoint risk factors.

This survey is expected to further grow that idea and build the foundation for a new targeted media campaign.