Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 11 Mar 1993

Vol. 427 No. 8

Written Answers. - Alcohol and Drug Abuse.

Micheál Martin

Question:

85 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Education her views on whether an alcohol and drug abuse prevention programme should be an integral part of the primary and post-primary curricula; and whether the necessary resources will be made available to enable a nationwide programme to be put in place.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

It is generally accepted that education in respect of the abuse of substances (including alcohol, tobacco and all drugs likely to be misused) should form part of the curriculum at both primary and post-primary levels and should be dealt with in a manner appropriate to the age-levels and maturity of the pupils. I agree with this view.

My Department has co-operated with the Department of Health and its agencies and with voluntary groups, in initiatives which seek to support schools in developing educational programmes on substance abuse. The issue of promoting the health and well-being of young people and children has received significant attention in the recent Green Paper on Education and the implementation of these proposals will be dealt with in the White Paper. In the meantime I propose to continue to support and develop action in this area of education and to provide the resources required by such development.