AbstractThe medical practitioner, as an adult learner, has a part to play in drug education, which extends beyond the confines of medical practice. General practice is changing to meet the pressure for health promotion, which is implicit in the philosophy of the National Drug Education Program. A comprehensive approach is required from the adult learner in this context.Drug education is an important part of education and an integral part of health education. The scenario for health education seeks the development of personal health behaviour which will affect the lifestyle of the community.Learning objectives and educational approaches are to be set at various levels. General practitioners, as self‐directed learners, have a wider range of educational strategies available to them to support educational interventions which assist with the problems associated with alcohol and drug us