Vol. 458 No. 5
123 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education if there is a comprehensive drugs education programme included in the life-skills classes taught in schools; and if so, if it is part of the syllabus in both primary and secondary schools. [17279/95]
The White Paper on Education, "Charting our Education Future", stated that programmes will be developed relating to tobacco, alcohol, substance abuse and the promotion of healthy lifestyles. These programmes will support schools in promoting the social, personal and health education of pupils. Where classes in the general life-skills area are provided in schools at present, my understanding is that substance abuse prevention education is included.
Initiatives are being taken in respect of substance abuse prevention education. A major programme of substance abuse education for second level schools has been developed jointly by the Departments of Education and Health in conjunction with the Mater Dei Counselling Centre. This programme was launched in October, 1994. It is being disseminated to second level schools generally with associated in-career development for teachers. At the end of the school year 1994-95 the programme has been introduced to about 50 per cent of all second level schools and the dissemination and in-career development continues during the current school year.
