A Hull MP is campaigning for alcohol, drug and relationship education to be included in the national curriculum.

Hull North MP Diana Johnson told the House of Commons that education should be "much more" than teaching academic studies, and it could have a "powerful role" in helping youngsters cope with the complexities of modern living.

The Labour MP urged ministers to support her Relationship, Drug and Alcohol Education (Curriculum) Bill, which, she said, would provide "good quality, age appropriate" education to all children and eradicate the notion that it is considered a "trivial subject or an add-on".

"Like many MPs, I feel the role of education is much more than just teaching a limited range of academic subjects," said Ms Johnson.

"It has a powerful role in preparing and equipping young people for life with the knowledge and skills to deal with complexities of living in a modern, fast-changing world."

She added that well-planned programmes could have a "measurable impact" on changing attitudes towards alcohol, tobacco and cannabis and claimed the "scare-mongering" approach used currently was ineffective.

Copyright Press Association 2012