The Healthy School and Substances has existed for 30 years

Published Oct 24, 2019

For 30 years, every new generation of pupils, students and parents has been offered a contemporary prevention programme on alcohol, tobacco, drugs and gaming in education through the Healthy School and Substances programme (DGSG). To celebrate this, a festive afternoon will be held on Thursday 21 November from 12:15 to 16:30 at Kanaal30 in Utrecht.

The Healthy School and Substances has existed for 30 years

During this festive DGSG afternoon, you can learn about the very latest (educational) programmes in workshops, hear more about future developments, and watch a presentation looking back at the pioneering work of the early years. DGSG will also launch its new name and website. Click here for more information about the programme. Unfortunately, registration is no longer possible.

DGSG consists of four components: Educational lessons, Parental involvement, Identification and support, and Policies and Rules. For an explanation of each component, click here.

DGSG has the following objectives:

Primary education objective: Prevent pupils from starting to use tobacco and alcohol.
Secondary education objective: Encourage young people to postpone drinking alcohol until at least the age of 18 and not to use tobacco or drugs.
Vocational education objective: Initiate efforts to prevent, limit and reduce smoking and excessive alcohol and drug use among young people in vocational education.

Statistics

Are you looking for statistics on alcohol, tobacco and drug use among Dutch schoolchildren? The Trimbos Institute collects this data through the Youth and Risky Behaviour Monitoring Survey (2015) and HBSC (2013) (Health Behaviour in School-aged Children).
Both studies are conducted once every four years. Two useful infographics were published based on the Monitoring Survey, making the statistics immediately clear. Click here for smoking and alcohol and here for drugs.

Ten tips for the Golden Weeks in primary education

After every holiday, a group goes through certain phases in the process of group formation. The first weeks at the beginning of the school year are called the Golden Weeks. These weeks are particularly suitable for laying a foundation for good group formation and a pleasant atmosphere. Stichting School & Veiligheid offers ten tips.

Our Food Week

From 3 to 10 October 2026, it is Our Food Week. A great opportunity to focus with your class at primary school on where our food comes from, how it is made and why healthy and sustainable choices are important. Food education allows pupils not only to learn, but especially to experience. That is why various organisations are joining forces to support schools with inspiring activities, teaching materials and practical tools. Examples include the Mayors’ Breakfast, a free visit to a farm, or shopping vouchers for cooking in the classroom.

Join National Tap Water Day 2026 on 30 September!

Would you like more water to be drunk in the new school year? Then put tap water in the spotlight with your class as a healthy and sustainable thirst quencher during National Tap Water Day on Wednesday 30 September. This way, your pupils will discover why tap water is healthy and how to turn it into a festive drink!

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