Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

I thank Senator Donohoe for sharing his time and the Minister of State, Deputy Pat Carey, for staying the distance in the debate. My focus is on education and the law, both of which need to be strengthened in the fight against the epidemic of alcohol misuse and illegal drug use. Neither issue is simplistic. They must be tackled through a cross-party, cross-departmental and multifaceted approach.

My main concern is for the safety of young people at the gateway age, which is 9 years to 11 years for smoking and 11 years to 13 years for alcohol and drugs. I have less sympathy for young adults who should know the risks and take personal responsibility. I have great concerns for those young people who do not know the risks involved. This is where a serious job in educating them must be done.

In the past few weeks I have become worried that drugs, particularly cocaine, are now an accepted part of a social scene. If that is the case, we are in serious trouble. It suggests drugs are part of our culture which is what happened with alcohol. Everything must be done to prevent drugs becoming an accepted part of our culture.

Young people, particularly teenagers, do not have accurate information on drugs. They may not understand that a drug changes the chemical reaction of the brain which in the process takes away personal power to act responsibly. Instead, drugs create an illusion of personal power which is mistaken. I am concerned young people respond to drugs as something sensational and often feel under pressure to experiment so as to be accepted as part of the group. For teenagers, to be part of the group is paramount.

Other Members referred to the shock of recent deaths from drugs but we know shock does not bring about behavioural change. It only highlights the issue. It is how it is built upon that we will bring about behavioural change. To be able to make responsible decisions, young people need accurate information. They do not necessarily recognise the dangers of drugs or have the wherewithal or personal power to say no. It takes much courage and personal responsibility which is not easy to achieve. It can only be arrived at over a sustained period in education and, more than likely, personal tests in life situations.

On this morning's Order of Business, I asked that each school give one dedicated SPHE class or assembly session on alcohol and drug misuse before the Christmas holidays. With recent publicity, a danger exists of copycat experimenting with alcohol and drugs over the holidays. Of course, education in this must be for the long term.

Will the Minister of State inform the House if all schools have a substance misuse policy in place? Are all schools addressing drug and alcohol abuse and misuse in SPHE classes? How many are using the On Your Own Two Feet programme? I was trained facilitator when we developed the SPHE programme with the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. At the time I recall there were only some trained facilitators in the On Your Own Two Feet programme. Since then, how widespread has the programme become?