asked the Minister for Health if he has satisfied himself with the present publicity campaign in relation to the dangers of teenage drinking with particular relevance to the seriousness of alcohol as a drug; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions Oral Answers - Teenage Drinking.
8.
I am concerned at the extent of the problem of the abuse of alcohol in the community. Currently the Health Promotion Advisory Council are considering the abuse of alcohol as a major element of their workload and I expect to receive from them clear recommendations regarding an intersectoral approach to alcohol control in Ireland soon.
Recently also, my Department, through the Health Promotion Unit, launched a new nationwide training course entitled "Drug Questions — Local Answers?". This course is intended to give those working in the health, education and social fields information and training to help them tackle the alcohol and drug related problems in their communities. This programme allows for a specific emphasis on the problem of teenage drinking. The Health Promotion Unit are currently training convenors to run these courses at local level and by the end of the year up to 200 convenors will be operating in all health board regions.
In addition my Department continue to make available resource materials to schools and the general public on alcohol and related problems.
Also available from my Department are three booklets on alcohol. These are intended for use by young people, parents and youth leaders.
Many health boards are operating ongoing programmes for schools in the area of health education and all these programmes have an emphasis on alcohol as a drug of potential abuse.
What steps is the Minister taking, in conjunction with the Minister for Justice, to eliminate the problem of under-age drinking? It is obvious to everybody driving through our cities that there are drunken young people and children on the streets. I am satisfied that there is a lack of implementation of the law by the Garda. Is the Minister having any discussions with the Minister for Justice in regard to this problem?
Yes. As the Deputy is aware, in the legislation dealing with intoxicating liquor at present before the House, there are a number of elements dealing with the problem. More powers are given to the Garda and it makes those selling alcohol more responsible in regard to the sale of intoxicating liquor to persons under 18.