Vol. 553 No. 6
216 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will give details of the co-ordinated initiatives aimed at tackling alcohol abuse by young people mentioned in An Agreed Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14837/02]
218 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the series of co-ordinated initiatives to tackle alcohol abuse amongst young people that he has in mind in accordance with the commitment given in An Agreed Programme for Government. [15283/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 216 and 218 together.
My Department is already involved in a wide range of partnerships with other Departments and bodies in an effort to tackle the issue of alcohol abuse by young people.
Education programmes have been developed so that young people may be more informed and better equipped to make informed decisions when faced with the issue of alcohol.
Children are targeted through the substance misuse prevention programme called Walk Tall. Adolescents are targeted through the On My Own Two Feet programme which forms part of the social, personal and health education curriculum.
In accordance with action 43 of the national drugs strategy, the Department of Education and Science in partnership with the health promotion unit of my Department and the health boards, has recently issued guidelines for developing a school substance abuse policy to all primary and post-primary schools.
The national youth health promotion programme with support from the health promotion unit, initiated a national project which provided opportunities for young people aged 14-16 years to explore their relationship with alcohol.
The health promotion unit of my Department is currently engaged in a three year alcohol awareness campaign entitled Less is More – It's Your Choice. Some phases of the campaign have focused on; those who buy or supply alcohol to those underage with a poster and radio messages with the theme of keeping children safe from drink; third level students in the restaurants of colleges with some facts on alcohol and a reminder that alcohol can affect one's finances, studies and health; and youth leaders and health professionals in each of the health board areas to identify best practice initiatives within communities that promote awareness of alcohol to young people.
In the college setting, universities and third level institutions came together to formulate a response to a growing concern about alcohol promotion practices on campus, high risk drinking among students and its impact on student academic achievement and student attrition. A framework for the development of a college alcohol policy was developed and each third level institution can adopt the guidelines to reflect the needs and aspirations of their own campus environment.
