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Pike, Brigid (2004) Young people debate drug and alcohol abuse. Drugnet Ireland, Issue 11, June 2004, p. 4.

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In November 2003 the annual Dáil na nÓg, 1 or Irish Youth Parliament, debated drug and alcohol abuse. The delegates concluded1:

  • We need more facilities, leisure centres, discos, youth clubs and other alcohol-free activities.
  • Information and education is too late or not at all – we need campaigns on drugs and alcohol from primary school up.
  • We want advertising to highlight the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse.
  • We need support to overcome peer-pressure.
  • Alcohol is part of our culture – adults need to change too. 

The Minster for Children, Brian Lenihan TD, told the delegates that the lack of non-pub entertainment facilities for teenagers was a major national issue and guaranteed delegates that a recreation policy for 12–18-year-olds would be prepared by the National Children’s Office (NCO).2 As a preliminary step, the NCO called for proposals for research contributing to the development of a recreation and leisure policy for young people aged 13–17 years. The NCO has also called for research proposals in relation to youth homelessness in Ireland. These calls for research proposals closed on 12 May 2004. 


1 Arising out of the National Children’s Strategy and in line with Article 12 (1) of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Dáil na nÓg, the Irish Youth Parliament, was established in 2001 to provide an annual national forum where young people and children can raise and debate issues of concern, under the auspices of the Minister for Children.  A report on the outcome of Dáil na nÓg is submitted to the Cabinet Committee on Children, which is chaired by the Taoiseach. For further information see the Dáil na nÓg website at www.dailnanog.ie

2 The National Children's Office (NCO) was established in 2001 to improve all aspects of children's lives by leading and supporting the implementation of the National Children’s Strategy – Our Children Their Lives. For further information see the NCO website at http://www.nco.ie/

 

Item Type
Article
Publication Type
Irish-related, Open Access, Article
Drug Type
All substances
Issue Title
Issue 11, June 2004
Date
June 2004
Page Range
p. 4
Publisher
Health Research Board
Volume
Issue 11, June 2004
EndNote
Accession Number
HRB (Available)

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