Seán Ryan
Ceist:54 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Health and Children his strategy for countering addiction among young people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27161/99]
Written Answers. - Addiction Prevention Strategy.
My Department has been involved in specific initiatives aimed at preventing addiction among young people in the areas of tobacco, alcohol and drugs. It is, however, a matter for each health board to develop a local response to addiction problems in their own area; this includes the development of education and prevention strategies and, where appropriate, treatment services. My department has a role in co-ordinating and complementing these initiatives at a national level as well as implementing national campaigns and policy developments.
Regional drug co-ordinators have been appointed to co-ordinate a multi-agency approach to drug prevention on a local basis nationwide. In addition, the Eastern Health Board is in the process of appointing ten drug education officers to tackle the problems specific to that region.
Mass media drug, tobacco and alcohol misuse prevention campaigns are conducted frequently by the health promotion unit of my Department. To support these campaigns, educational and resource materials are provided by my Department, including videos, posters and leaflets, free of charge on request.
The health promotion unit of my Department has also been a partner in developing a number of preventative education initiatives aimed at providing a more holistic strategy for addiction prevention among young people. The aim of these programmes is to build the self-esteem and confidence of young people, enhance their decision-making skills, inform their attitudes and provide them with correct and accurate information.
Specifically the health promotion unit has supported the development of a broad-based social personal and health education programmes at health board level. On My Own Two Feet is a substance abuse prevention programme for post-primary schools which aims to enable students to develop their ability to make informed decisions about the use of drugs in their lives. The pro gramme is a joint initiative between the health promotion unit and the psychological service of the Department of Education and Science in conjunction with Mater Dei counselling centre. Walk Tall is the primary school version of this programme. In addition, in the school setting the TEACH programme, Smokebusters, HealthKicks and Smoke Free Leitrim projects are alcohol and smoking prevention programmes which aim to prevent the onset of addiction.
To support these programmes a number of interventions are also aimed at the parents and the family, including the Parent Education on Alcohol, Drugs and Family Communication Programme; Parenting for Prevention Programme, Fás Le Cheile and the Home-School Liaison Service.
In addition to the school and family based interventions, a number of youth group and community based initiatives have been developed such as the National Youth Health Programme; Drink Awareness for Youth Programme; solvent abuse resource materials for the youth group and school setting; youth work support pack for dealing with the drugs issue; and the Drug Questions – Local Answers Training Programme.
Finally, Youth as a Resource, the recent publication from the health promotion unit of my Department has made recommendations on initiatives that will impact upon the health needs of the young people most at risk in our society for the future.