(introduction...)

There are many different kinds and types of group methods: methods and techniques that stress transfer of knowledge (lectures, classroom teaching), attitude change (discussion, role playing), development of social skills (training, modelling) or exploration and exchange of opinion (panel, forum). The best way to elaborate and illustrate group methods and techniques in drug education, is to refer to school drug education. The main arguments for choosing this formal educational context are:

- It is within formal education that most children and young people can be reached for preventive education;

- School settings have a clear organisational structure, with opportunities to develop links with parents, community groups, etc;

- School settings are, in spite of many cultural and societal differences, present in all countries and regions in the world;

- Most drug educational experiences have been acquired within a formal education context during the past 30 years;

- Many different school drug education methods can also be applied to other group and community settings; in most cases only a few adaptations have to be made;

- Most experimentation with drug use starts during school when children are between 14-18 years old.