Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will work to see can we develop a structured link between schools and youth drug services. The more critical point is that there are very strong self-esteem and self-respect modules of learning within school curricula and programmes to enable young people to be strong enough within their peer groups to resist temptation and being lured into behaviour which is injurious and damaging to them. I am a great believer in inculcating self-respect and self-esteem in young people from the earliest age. That is the best protection we can give our children.

Equally, I am conscious of what the Deputy is saying and it is a serious issue for society. There are measures to deal with the issue in the programme for Government. I am anxious that the school completion programme will come back within the Department of Education and Skills and integrate better with our educational structures. If we maintain children in school longer, we will have a better chance of keeping them from harm.

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