Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 3 Nov 1993

Vol. 435 No. 4

Written Answers. - Drugs Awareness Programme.

Tony Gregory

Question:

79 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Education if she has been requested to provide matching funding for a drugs awareness programme part-funded by the EC and the Catholic Social Service Conference; her views on whether this is an important and necessary Leader Training Project; and if she will give a positive response to the request for part-funding.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

Application has been made to my Department by the Catholic Social Service Conference for a grant towards the cost of a project on drug abuse prevention to be partly funded by the EC.

I consider that the educational system can make a significant contribution to the overall national strategy on drug abuse.

My Department is represented on the Government's Co-ordinating Committee on Drug Misuse and contributes to the development of the national strategy to prevent such misuse. As a result of the work of this committee, initiatives are kept under review and new initiatives planned.

There is a close liaison between my Department and the Department of Health in order to support schools in the introduction of educational programmes on substance abuse. These programmes deal with abuse of all drugs, including solvents, alcohol and tobacco. All schools, both primary and post-primary, and third level colleges, have been provided with information on the abuse of substances.

A major pilot project on substance abuse has taken place over the past two years focused on post-primary schools. This project was carried out with the Department of Health and the Mater Dei Counselling Centre, Clonliffe Road, Dublin and with support from the EC. The outcome of this project, including Educational Resource Materials, are being disseminated to all post primary schools during the current school year. A programme of inservice training for teachers will be included with the dissemination.

My Department co-operates, as well, with the Regional Health Boards and with voluntary agencies such as Youth Organisations and Parent Groups in initiatives aimed at alerting young people to the dangers of substance abuse. In all projects undertaken, schools and teachers are advised to consult with parents and to inform them of the educational activities in schools.

As available funding is fully committed, my Department is not in a position to grant-aid the particular project planned by the Catholic Social Service Conference.