Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 778: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress made in relation to the programme for Government proposal to support targeted Garda anti-drug use programmes in schools and third-level institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28633/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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An Garda Síochána currently delivers both Primary and Secondary School Programmes throughout the country which include a focus on drugs education.

The Garda Secondary School Programme has been designed in conjunction with the Social Personal & Health Education (SPHE) syllabus of the Department of Education & Science.

This SPHE syllabus supports the personal development, health and well being of young people and helps them to create and maintain supportive relationships.

Through this Garda programme, trained Gardaí facilitate classes as part of the SPHE course at Junior cycle in modules which focus on substance misuse issues.

In addition, at primary level, An Garda Síochána also delivers a comprehensive education programme for 5th class pupils throughout the country through the Garda Primary Schools initiative which includes modules on drugs education.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the total number of visits to all schools (national and secondary) in the 2006/2007 academic year was 3,095.

The Government is fully supportive of these initiatives and the issue of the further appropriate development of targeted Garda anti-drug use programmes in schools and third level institutions is one which will be considered in the context of the new National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016 which is currently being developed under the remit of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.