Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 April 2004
363 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the recent ASTI survey which indicated difficulties with students under the influence of drink and drugs, he will consider introducing random drug testing in schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11509/04]
View answerI have no plans to introduce random drug testing in schools. My Department is aware of the many concerns which have been raised about young people's behaviour in relation to the misuse of substances. While education has a role in addressing the problem, effecting change in this area also depends on consistent support from the drinks industry, parents and society as a whole. A responsible attitude to the promotion of alcohol, especially in targeting young people, and ensuring rigorous implementation of the law on legal age limits regarding the sale of alcohol, are an essential part of this approach. Parents also have a responsibility in helping children and young people to adopt sensible and responsible attitudes and behaviours.
In general the community as a whole needs to reflect on the general attitude to the misuse of substances. Schools can play an active role in addressing the problems and consequences of the misuse of substances through the SPHE — social, personal and health education — curriculum which focuses on developing an informed and sensible attitude to substances. Through the SPHE curriculum, students are enabled to develop a framework for responsible and informed decision-making about their health, personal lives and social development. In particular, the substance use module of the SPHE curriculum focuses on the issues relating to the use and misuse of a range of substances. While most young people are aware of the implications and consequences of misusing substances, the SPHE curriculum actively seeks to promote healthy and responsible choices by students in relation to their lives.
All post-primary schools were required to implement the SPHE curriculum as part of the junior cycle core curriculum from September 2003. Ongoing support in the implementation of SPHE continues to be provided to schools through the post-primary SPHE support service, a partnership between the Department of Education and Science, the Department of Health and Children and the health boards.
Supports are also being provided through the SPHE support service to enable schools to develop their substance use policies. Guidelines for developing a school substance use policy were prepared by my Department together with the Department of Health and Children and the health boards and circulated to schools in 2002. The central objective of a school substance use policy is the welfare, care, protection and education of every young person. The school policy can ensure schools have a coherent framework for providing appropriate education and managing issues relating to substance misuse in a planned and considered way.
