Schoolchildren asked to phone gardai if they are offered drugs

Schoolchildren are to be asked to telephone the gardai if they are offered drugs, under a project planned for primary schools later this year. The project, to be called "Say No and Phone", is being developed by the INTO, the Garda i and the Chambers of Commerce.

The Crimestoppers freephone number is expected to be used on posters encouraging children to refuse drugs and give the pushers' names to gardai.

In a separate development children at primary schools in areas most affected by the drug problem are to be given drug education classes from next month.

Announcing the "Walk Tall" programme yesterday, the Minister for Education, Mr Martin, said research had shown that awareness and self-esteem were important factors in helping children avoid substance abuse.

A senior psychologist with the Department of Education, Ms Ruby Morrow, said the scheme was graded to deal with children from infants to sixth class. The £1 million programme aimed at schools in the 13 drug task-force areas, 12 in Dublin and one in Cork, is to start on February 8th.