Vol. 509 No. 3
64 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress, if any, made with regard to the promised new drugs prevention programme for all primary schools; the staff, finance and resources which will be allocated for the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20091/99]
The substance misuse education prevention programme for primary schools was developed by my Department in co-operation with school managements, parents and teachers. The development of the programme, called "Walk Tall", was completed by the end of 1998. The process of dissemination to primary schools, generally, commenced early this year. The programme has been introduced in 725 primary schools at this stage. The aim is to have the programme disseminated to all primary schools over a two year period.
There is a national co-ordinator for the dissemination and a team of six teacher trainers. The teaching staff of each school attend a one-day seminar on the implementation of "Walk Tall".
There are detailed educational resource materials for each class level in primary schools and these are provided free to schools as their staffs participate in the staff seminars. An ongoing programme of longer training courses for teachers has commenced as well and, to date, 15 such training programmes have been held. The administrative support for the dissemination process is provided through West Dublin Education Centre. The financial resources provided by my Department are £500,000 in 1999, and it is planned to provide a further £500,000 in 2000.
