asked the Minister for Health if, together with the Minister of State at the Department of Education with special responsibility for youth affairs, he will endeavour to develop an anti-drug abuse prevention programme for use in association with youth clubs.
Written Answers. - Drug Abuse Prevention Programme.
12.
The Special Governmental Task Force on Drug Abuse recognised the importance of developing a drug prevention programme specifically targeted at our youth population. The task force considered that such a programme would be most effective if implemented through the schools.
In pursuance of the task force's recommendations in this area the Health Education Bureau and the Department of Education have co-operated closely in the production of materials for use in schools and in the organisation of appropriate workshops and seminars for teachers. Also, the bureau have been continuing their training programme for teachers in health education, including drug education, and about 1,600 teachers have been through this programme to date. Both organisations are currently involved in producing additional materials for schools and have organised a further summer course for teachers on drug education for July of this year.
Specifically in the context of youth clubs and related activities, the Health Education Bureau have recently produced a resource pack on substance abuse in conjunction with the National Youth Council of Ireland. The bureau funded the production of 1,000 copies of this pack which have already been distributed, mostly through training courses for youth leaders, and are currently funding a reprint. This drug education-training programme is available to all youth groups through the National Youth Council. The bureau plans to fund a more extensive training programme for youth leaders during this year and are awaiting a detailed submission from the National Youth Council in this regard.
I think that the Deputy will agree that all of these activities, which are being closely co-ordinated by the Health Education Bureau and the Department of Education, constitute an effective and comprehensive drug abuse prevention programme. This programme deserves continued support and encouragement and it is one of the tasks of the National Co-ordinating Committee on Drug Abuse to ensure that this is done.