Parents of primary school children are being targeted by a new project to make them aware of the signs that their children may be using drugs and how to discourage them from doing so.

The course, How to Drug Proof Your Kids, is at Pegasus Primary School, in Field Avenue, Blackbird Leys, Oxford, and starts on Wednesday.

Course coordinator Ines Kretzschmar said: "It's common for parents to think their children aren't doing this sort of thing, or that children this young don't know about drugs.

"But we think you have a better chance of preventing drug and substance abuse if you communicate with your children and you have a well informed knowledge of drugs."

The course will run for six weeks and give up to 12 parents the chance to learn about what things to look out for in their children and how to combat drug and substance abuse.

Mrs Kretzschmar said: "I think children are very much aware these days, much more than we give them credit for sometimes.

"These days, they have it on television with soap operas, on the news, even on the streets.

"How do you expect children to not know about drugs? I think we need to move with the times and give them more education - and that needs to start with the parents."

Mrs Kretzschmar said the course was aimed mainly at Pegasus School parents, as the school was providing the facilities free of charge.

However, the aim was to run similar courses throughout Oxford.

She added: "It is not just about hard drugs. We will also be looking at alcohol, which can be almost as dangerous, and smoking," she said.

Mrs Kretzschmar said the course would start with an exercise looking at how well parents knew their children.

She said: "We also hope to have a child that has battled drug addiction come and speak to parents.

"And Pc Dave Brown will also be coming in to talk to parents and will bring in a drugs case to show parents the things to look out for."

Anyone interested in attending the course or who wants more information on other projects being run, can call Mrs Kretzschmar on 01865 717799.