Vol. 512 No. 6
387 Mr. Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has satisfied himself that there is a proper drugs awareness programme with adequate resources available to teachers and schools to educate pupils on the dangers of drugs and alcohol abuse; the measures, if any, undertaken to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26811/99]
The programme of substance misuse prevention education for primary schools was developed by my Department in consultation with partners in Education and other relevant interests. This programme is called Walk Tall. The development took place in a small number of primary schools during the school years 1996-97 and 1997-98. On the basis of a positive evaluation of the programme the associated detailed educational resource materials were designed and printed before the end of 1998.
It was decided to disseminate the programme to all primary schools over a two-year period beginning in early 1999. This dissemination process commenced earlier this year and the programme has now been introduced to approximately 1,150 primary schools.
There is a support team of seven teacher trainers, including a national project officer, involved in the dissemination process. The administration of the process is located in West Dublin Education Centre which works in co-operation with education centres throughout the country. The detailed educational resource materials are for each class level in primary schools. These are provided free of charge to schools as the programme is being introduced and after participation by the teaching staffs of the schools in one-day training seminars. In addition to these training seminars, the provision of further longer training courses for teachers has commenced. It is intended that these longer courses will be available to teachers on an on-going basis. Fifteen such courses have been held this year.
The On My Own Two Feet substance misuse prevention education programme for post-primary schools was developed by the Departments of Education and Science and Health and Children in co-operation with Mater Dei counselling centre. Its introduction to schools commenced early in 1995 and it now reaching the end of a period of dissemination at the end of which it will be revised with reference to curriculum changes which are being considered for the junior cycle of post-primary schooling.
The programme consists of a set of detailed educational resource materials and associated in-career development for teachers on the implementation of the programme in schools. The aim of the programme is the development of the personal and social skills of students in saying "no" to the misuse of substances.
