COME December, the TUI is set to launch a major professional development programme for members. Substance abuse, a major issue throughout the State, will be top of the agenda. "Our president, Joe Carolan, is anxious that substance abuse education features prominently in the professional development programme," comments the TUI's acting education officer, Billy Fitzpatrick.
Other topics in the programme will include sexual harassment, retirement planning and teaching Travellers and refugees.
It is hoped that the seminar on substance abuse will enable schools to work towards whole-school policies. "The problem can't be tackled by schools alone," says Fitzpatrick. "We must involve families and the wider community."
If parents find substance abuse difficult to detect, so do teachers. Problems manifest themselves in the classroom in a variety of ways. Students who drink alcohol or take drugs are likely to be poor attenders, have low concentration and behave disruptively, says the TUI officer.
Simply highlighting the downside of substance abuse to young people is ineffective. "You need to work on their self-esteem and self-assertiveness," says Fitzpatrick.
Teachers need guidelines. They need to be aware of legal implications. If they suspect a student of carrying illegal substances, how far can they go? They may not search a pupil's pockets, for example, but they do have the right to search lockers.
