Rory O'Hanlon
Question:431 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Education and Science the measures he is taking to address the misuse of alcohol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4809/01]
Written Answers. - Drug Prevention Programmes.
Rory O'Hanlon
Question:432 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress which has been made in tackling the problems of under age drinking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4811/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 431 and 432 together.
There are two drug prevention programmes in schools. The programme in primary schools is entitled, Walk Tall, and the programme in post-primary schools, On My Own Two Feet. The drugs dealt with at primary level are alcohol and tobacco. At post-primary level there is a major focus on alcohol awareness in the second programme.
The programme in primary schools had been introduced into 2,787 schools by the end of the year 2000. By the end of June of this year it is expected that it will have been introduced to 3,000 schools or 94% of all primary schools.
Training was provided for primary school staffs by way of one day seminars and an optional three hours per week over nine weeks was also offered. The programme for post-primary schools was introduced into approximately 570 or 75% of post-primary schools and 1700 post-primary teachers did 50 hours training for that programme. This programme has now been subsumed into the social, personal and health education, SPHE, programme. By the end of the year 2003 every post-primary school is expected to have SPHE as an integral part of its programme in junior cycle.