HEADTEACHERS in the Basingstoke area have said they will consider showing pupils a harrowing video about a tragic young heroin addict in a bid to deter them from taking drugs.

Rachel's Story, a video produced by the parents of Hereford girl Rachel Whitear about her life and death, shows graphic stills of the 21-year-old's swollen and discoloured body (right) after it was discovered by police.

The 22-minute video will be made available to all secondary schools as part of the Department of education's anti-drugs offensive.

Bishop Challoner headteacher Michael Whitty told The Gazette: "I would consider using the video, but I'd want to see it first.

"I would look through it myself with some of my staff and discuss the issues, but would not show it without consulting parents."

Mr Whitty believes shock tactics have a limited shelf-life but did not rule out that they can be useful.

"I would be surprised if there were not some youngsters who really would be reached by shocking images and think about the impact of what they have seen," he said.

John Hunt of Everest headteacher Lesley Phillipson agreed they would think about using the video if it fits in with the drugs education policies currently adopted by their school.

"We used the video about ecstasy victim Leah Betts, which was very moving," said Mrs Phillipson. "The children were very upset and it provoked a lot of discussion, which is really what we want - to get children talking about the consequences of drug-taking."

Fort Hill Community School headteacher Keith Fry said he would also consider showing the video providing it is in the right context. But he condemned the use of shock tactics in drugs education.

"They are a bad idea. All the evidence points to the fact that young people think it's not going to happen to them," he said. "We need to create the same cultural environment about drug abuse as we have around drink-driving, where it's considered socially unacceptable."

Do you think pupils should see Rachel's Story? Write to the Letters Editor, The Gazette, Gazette House, Pelton Road, Basingstoke, RG21 6YD or e-mail us on newsdesk@basingstokegazette.co.uk