Vol. 435 No. 3
111 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Health if he will have a survey carried out to ascertain nationwide facts concerning drinking and drug abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter, particularly as it affects the work done in this regard by the Advisory Council on Health Promotion.
I am very aware of the need for up-to-date research data on substance misuse generally and, in particular, among young people, if we are to monitor trends and evaluate the effectiveness of health promotion interventions. I understand that the national alcohol policy which is currently being finalised has identified gaps in the research area and will be making recommendations on how the issue should be addressed.
However, a number of studies has been carried out in relatively recent times on teenage drinking and drug abuse. Since the early eighties a series of studies on these issues have been carried out on second level school pupils in the Dublin area. The most recent of these, a three-phase study in 1991, 1992 and 1993 examined drinking and other drug use among 2,000 second level pupils in Dublin. This study is due for publication in early 1994. At a national level, a survey of alcohol use among a national sample of second year second level students was also carried out in 1990.
My Department's Health Promotion Unit also commissioned a major national survey of knowledge, attitudes and behaviour in relation to alcohol use and smoking earlier this year. The results of the survey, which covererd 4,000 young people, are currently being analysed and a report will be published in 1994.
