John Bruton
Question:274 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children his Departments drugs awareness programme for 1998-99; and the amount of funding he has allocated to the campaign. [15834/98]
Written Answers. - Drug Treatment Services.
My Department is involved in many initiatives to raise awareness concerning problems caused in society by drug misuse. In the years 1998-9 my Department through its health promotion unit will continue to work with the Department of Education and Science on the dissemination and implementation of the ‘On My Own Two Feet' programme for second level schools. This programme is also being extended into primary schools. European drug prevention week is taking place from November 15-20 1998 and the focus of this week is to raise awareness about the requirement for intersectoral co-operation to tackle the drug problem. Allied to this week will be a media awareness campaign promoting the week and promoting awareness about the dangers of drug misuse. The total amount allocated by my Department to this week and to the associated awareness campaign for 1998 is £250,000. My Department continues to facilitate the dissemination of a community based drugs awareness programme ‘Drug Questions — Local Answers' and is achieving considerable success with this programme in many health board areas. In addition to the above initiatives the health promotion unit of my Department continues to make available a wide range of literature, leaflets, information booklets and posters for young people, parents and health professionals on the issue of drug misuse.