Jack Wall
Ceist:488 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the initiatives his Department has taken to prevent drug misuse by children and teenagers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19844/01]
Written Answers. - Substance Misuse Prevention Programmes.
The current approach to tackling the drug problem in Ireland has developed around the four pillars of supply reduction, prevention, treatment and research. Central to the approach has been the bringing together of key agencies, both statutory and community-voluntary, in a planned and co-ordinated manner to develop a range of appropriate responses to tackle drug misuse, not just in relation to the supply of drugs but also in providing treatment and rehabilitation for those who are addicted, as well as developing appropriate preventative strategies.
In relation to the prevention theme, my Department is committed to the provision of substance misuse prevention programmes for all pupils in primary and post-primary schools.
At primary level, social, personal and health education now forms part of the revised primary school curriculum and will be allocated time on each school's timetable. Support for the introduction of SPHE will begin this autumn, when all primary teachers will begin to attend professional development programmes to enable them to teach the curriculum. This work will build on the training programmes already provided in areas which form part of SPHE, the child abuse prevention programme, relationships and sexuality education and the substance misuse prevention programme. The support programme for SPHE will continue for two academic years.
At post-primary level, the introduction of social personal and health education on a phased basis to all post-primary schools at junior cycle level began in October 2000. It is anticipated that all post-primary schools will have a programme in place within three years. A support service, consisting of a national co-ordinator and ten regional development officers is in place and is being jointly supported by my Department and the Department of Health and Children. As part of this process, a professional development programme for teachers will be organised, and classroom resource materials will be made available to all post-primary schools. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment has plans to prepare a programme of SPHE for senior cycle pupils.
SPHE programmes that are planned and consistent throughout a school will enable children and young people to develop a framework of values, attitudes, understanding and life skills that will inform their decisions and actions both during their time in school and in their future lives. As SPHE has a moral and spiritual dimension, its development and implementation will be influenced significantly by the ethos and characteristic spirit of the individual school. The manner in which SPHE is being introduced accommodates this position and the input of parents into the process is both valued and encouraged.