asked the Minister for Education the help her Department is giving to VEC and other education authorities in trying to combat the problem of drugs in relation to young people.
Written Answers. - Education on Drug Abuse.
60.
During 1984 work commenced on the implementation of the various recommendations of the Government Task Force on Drug Abuse as they affected the area of education. The Department of Education are co-operating with the Health Education Bureau in the provision of training for teachers. For example, four information days were held during 1984 together with an extended summer course. Further information days will be held during 1985 together with a number of workshops-seminar and a further summer course. Progress has been made, in co-operation with the Health Education Bureau, on the production of materials and teaching programmes. A set of video films has been tried out on a pilot basis and has now become available to schools together with two manuals on teaching methodology. Two teaching posts have been sanctioned in two of the treatment centres. The Curriculum and Examinations Board has been asked in conjunction with the Health Education Bureau, to encourage the development of health education in a central position in the school curriculum.
A special, more intensive, educational project on drug abuse has been planned and sanctioned for one VEC area, in co-operation with the Council of Europe, and this project, which will involve the wider community, is due to commence in the coming school year.