In its presentation to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Drug Use today, the TUI affirmed that while schools have an important role to play in the area of drug prevention and education, responsibilities also rest with parents, communities and the relevant Government departments and aegis bodies.
The TUI made the following recommendations to the Committee:
- All schools should have access to the Home School Community Liaison scheme, and not just DEIS schools.
- There should be additional provision of guidance teachers to all schools. Additional staffing resources are also required by counselling support services in higher education institutions.
- Members of student support teams need ringfenced time to carry out their prevention work.
- There needs to be more pastoral supports in schools, especially year head positions.
- CPD should be available to all education staff in the post-primary and Youthreach systems and not just to a small number of staff.