Vol. 462 No. 1
83 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education if she will give details of the substance abuse prevention programme entitled "On My Own Two Feet"; the number of schools using this programme; the number of pupils who have completed this programme; the arrangements, if any, for training teachers in using this programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4070/96]
"On My Own Two Feet" is an educational package for use with second-level students aimed at the development of personal and social skills for the prevention of substance abuse. The overall aim of the package is to enable students to develop the ability to take charge of their health and specifically, to make conscious and informed decisions about the use of drugs (legal and illegal) in their lives. Information on drugs is integrated with exercises and lessons relating to identity and self-esteem, understanding influences, assertive communication, feelings and decision-making.
The programme was developed by the Department of Education and the Department of Health in conjunction with the Mater Dei Counselling Centre. It was launched in October 1994 and is being disseminated to second level schools generally since then. To date, approximately 600 schools here participated in the training programmes which enable them to receive the resource materials and begin the programme in their schools. This dissemination will continue so that all second-level schools will have the opportunity of availing of the programme.
Data on the number of pupils who have completed the programme are not yet available. However, the steering committee for the project are conducting a survey of its use in schools and information on the number of pupils involved should be available later in the year when the survey is completed.
