Campaign on drugs focuses on primary schools

THE Minister for Education announced details of an anti drugs campaign to be launched primary schools in the autumn.

The programme includes a substance abuse awareness campaign for teachers, parents and local communities, and a schools programme for older primary, Ms Breathnach said.

Areas where there is a high incidence of drug abuse, especially of heroin, will be targeted. The priority areas for the pilot phase are Dublin's north and south inner city, Ballymun, Tallaght, Clondalkin and one area in Cork city.

An information booklet on substance abuse awareness for boards of management, teachers and parents will be issued to all primary schools in the autumn. This will deal with issues such as the rationale for including primary schools in substance abuse education, why children experiment or use drugs, and what parents and schools can do.

In the priority areas, seminars will be organised in the first term of the next school year, coordinated by the Department of Education in co operation with the Garda, the health boards and community groups.

Four teachers have been seconded to work with the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment on the development of course materials. These will be tested in about 20 schools from October, with a view to launching them generally in 1997. Teachers will be trained in September.