The early intervention initiative is funded and delivered by Scotland Against Drugs (SAD). Around 120 nursery staff from both private and local authority-run nurseries in Falkirk, Stirling and Clackmannan will take part in the two-day training course.
Marian Boyle, education co-ordinator for SAD, said, 'In Scotland, there are 60,000 children living in homes where there is problematic substance use.
Children who are exposed to drugs may exhibit behavioural and psychological problems and a failure to thrive.
'It is very important that staff can identify problems and know how to record and report them. The initiative is not about stigmatising parents and children, it is about ensuring they get the support they need.'
In Falkirk, the scheme is overseen by curriculum support officer Liz Rose.
Ms Rose said, 'The reaction from staff has been extremely positive. The course gave them the opportunity to reflect on their attitudes towards substance abuse as well as up-scaling their knowledge.
'Early years staff have a lot of direct contact with parents and are in a good position to engage with them. It is important that staff can offer support at an early stage because it may be harder to reach them when their children attend primary school.'
The initiative will be evaluated by the Scottish Centre of Research in Education and the findings are due to be published in March 2006.
Visit www.sad.org.uk.
