Sedqa briefing for teachers

Sedqa, the national agency against drug and alcohol abuse, recently held a half-day seminar to brief about 50 PSD teachers, college councellors and career advisors in state, private and Church secondary schools about its prevention programmes together with feedback and experiences from previous programmes. It also gave them a presentation on the findings of the report of the 2007 European school survey project on alcohol and other drugs (ESPAD).

During the 2008-2009 academic year the agency delivered prevention programmes in 18 state secondary schools and eight Church and private secondary schools, reaching almost 4,000 students. Topics dealt with in such programmes included technological addiction, computer safety, alcohol and drug addictions, gambling, juvenile delinquency and behavioural issues. The programmes are delivered in schools by request.

Sedqa also regularly updates its educational material for schools, which includes packs for teachers and publications for the students. Meetings for parents are also held out to provide tips for parents of adolescents.

For more information about Sedqa's prevention programmes and other services, visit the agency's website www.sedqa.gov.mt.