Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Jan 2001

Vol. 529 No. 1

Written Answers. - Substance Abuse.

Enda Kenny

Question:

1289 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science the measures being taken to inform school children of the dangers of drugs and substance abuse; the information available from his and other Departments to schools in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2313/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

Specific measures have been taken at both primary and post-primary levels to inform schoolchildren of the dangers of drugs and substance abuse.

The programme of substance misuse prevention education for primary schools, Walk Tall, was developed by my Department in consultation with the partners in education and other relevant interests. This development took place in a small number of primary schools during the school years 1996-97 and 1997-98 and the programme received a positive independent evaluation.

The dissemination of the programme's detailed educational resource materials to primary schools and the delivery of a comprehensive in-career development programme for teachers commenced in January 1999, with a two-year completion target. The programme has now been introduced to 2787 primary schools and it is expected that 3000 schools, 94%, will have accessed support by the end of the June 2001. Funding of £575,522 has been provided to support this work to date.

At second level, the substance misuse prevention programme, On My Own Two Feet, has been introduced in approximately 570 post-primary schools – 75%. A sum of £50,000 will be spent on this programme in 2001. The Department of Health and Children also provides significant additional funding. The dissemination of this programme commenced in early 1995 and has continued each year since.

Since September 2000, social, personal and health education – SPHE – including substance misuse prevention education, is being phased in to all schools at junior cycle over a three year period. In this context a support service for SPHE, including a national co-ordinator and ten regional development officers, was put in place in September 2000. This service will work in partnership with health promotion personnel in regional health boards.