Jim Mitchell
Ceist:70 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science the target he has set for the drug awareness programmes in schools; and if he has satisfied himself that they are succeeding. [3149/00]
Written Answers. - Drug Awareness Programme.
The dissemination of the substance misuse prevention education programme for primary schools, Walk Tall, commenced in January 1999. The target was to disseminate the programme to primary schools generally over a period of two years. At the end of 1999 the programme had been introduced to approximately 1,150 primary schools, about one third of the total number of primary schools. The dissemination process continues during the current year.
The process will be reviewed in May next, and if it appears then that the target needs to be revised it is my intention that provision be made to continue the dissemination in 2001 until all primary schools have had the opportunity to introduce the programme.
The implementation of the primary school programme, Walk Tall, was evaluated independently during its two year development phase in a small group of 26 primary schools. The evaluation outcomes were positive and it was decided to introduce the programme to primary schools generally.
At post-primary level the substance misuse prevention education programme, On My Own Two Feet, had been introduced in approximately 570 post-primary schools, representing 75% of the total of schools at second level, at the end of 1999. The dissemination of this programme commenced in early 1995 and has continued each year since. No particular target timescale was set for the dissemination of this programme to post-primary schools generally. Following on a report from the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA, it is intended that social, personal and health education, SPHE, including substance misuse prevention education, will be phased in as part of the core curriculum at junior cycle over a three year period.
The implementation of the On My Own Two Feet programme was evaluated independently during its development phase in a small group of post-primary schools. The outcome of this evaluation was positive and, therefore, it was decided to introduce the programme to post-primary schools generally.
The feedback from schools availing of both Walk Tall and On My Own Two Feet is very favourable in terms of meeting student needs and in terms of the value of the in-service training support provided.
I agree that programmes such as these need to be reviewed at regular intervals. However, on the basis of experience to date, I am satisfied that the programmes referred to are succeeding.