Children as young as FOUR to get lessons on drugs and alcohol

The idea is to prepare them in case they find illegal or prescription drugs left around at home by their parents.

As well as being warned not to swallow any pills and medicines they find, children will be taught to spot the difference between soft drinks and alcohol.

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More detailed lessons will take place while they are still in primary school and as young as seven.

The plan is included in the Government's second ten-year drugs strategy, announced yesterday.

Education Minister Kevin Brennan said addicts he had spoken to had warned him of the dangers of parents leaving drugs lying around.

"One told me how they began on substance misuse after finding things at home," he said.

Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said children would also be warned about mistaking "what looks like a Lucozade or a Coke" with strong drink.

The former teacher said care would be taken not to expose youngsters to "inappropriate" information, adding: "It is a difficult balance."

The drugs lessons follow research that shows the children of drug addicts are more likely to take illegal substances.

But critics are unhappy that all pupils will have the classes, instead of just those at risk.

Norman Wells, of the campaign group Family and Youth Concern, said: "It is inappropriate to subject whole classes to things that will be quite alien to the majority and which they lack the maturity to handle.

"Older children need to be warned about drugs. Making it the responsibility of schools may prove counterhidingproductive.

"The more the state takes the parental role, the less responsibility parents will be inclined to take."

Opposition MPs also criticised measures to seize "bling" assets such as plasma TVs and jewellery when suspected drug dealers are arrested.

Civil liberty groups say this threatens the principle of a person being innocent until they are proven guilty.

But the Home Office says seizing valuable items such as yachts, as well as smaller items, will stop criminals them before their trials.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: "Obviously, if somebody is innocent then they can get their assets back."

The Tories said powers already existed to seize the assets of drug dealers on arrest.

And they claimed a government pledge to strip benefits from drug addicts reported yesterday was not as tough as first appeared.

An addict will be able to keep his incapacity benefit without giving up simply by attending a single counselling session with an expert.

Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said: "Most of the proposals are gimmicks.

"Labour's failure to tackle drugs has led to an increase in drug crime by 43 per cent, cost Britain £110billion and left us with the worst problem drug use in Europe."

LibDem spokesman Chris Huhne said: "Cutting benefits for addicts is more likely to increase crime."

The Government's strategy also set out plans to bolster asset-seizing powers abroad, introduce screening for drugs on UK-bound flights at foreign airports and strengthen international agreements to intercept drugs heading for Britain.

Other measures in the ten-year plan include paying grandparents to care for the children of addicts.

Ministers want to make it easier for them to get state handouts reserved for parents.

Evidence shows 60 per cent of the children of addicts end up separated from their parents, with many taken into care.

The hope is that grandparents will now find it easier to step in.