Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 538: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to a serious and growing drug abuse problem at both primary and second level schools; the steps being taken to address the issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40666/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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My Department contributes fully to the overall aim of the Government's policy in relation to drugs, which is to provide an effective, integrated response to the problems posed by drug misuse. As part of this process, my Department is represented at senior level on the National Drugs Strategy Team and on the Interdepartmental Group which in turn reports to the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion. In addition, my Department is represented on all Drugs Task Forces, both Local and Regional.

My Department has taken a number of initiatives to counteract substance misuse in schools, including alcohol.

In October 2002, my Department issued guidelines to all schools to assist them in the development of School Substance Use Policies. These guidelines were developed in partnership with the Department of Health and Children and the then Health Boards. The central objective of a school's substance use policy is the welfare, care and protection of every young person in line with the Education Act, 1998 and the Education Welfare Act, 2000.

The policy is intended to address both education concerning alcohol, tobacco, drugs and other dangerous substances and the procedures for managing incidents relating to them.

Drug prevention education is implemented as part of the Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) curricula in primary and post-primary schools. The SPHE curriculum is mandatory in all primary schools and post-primary schools up to Junior Certificate Level and substance use is one of 10 modules taught. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment SPHE course committee is currently finalising a Framework SPHE curriculum for Senior Cycle Students at post-primary level. This will be submitted to my Department for consideration.

In addition, my Department currently funds 36 mainstreamed Local Drug Task Force projects at a cost of over €3m.