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Dominic Lipinski/PA Images

DrinkAware wants to educate young people about drinking but it's facing criticism

It’s funded by the alcohol industry.

DRINKAWARE IS CURRENTLY developing resources for schools, and not everyone is happy about it.

The organisation, which is run by the Mature Enjoyment of Alcohol in Society (MEAS) charity and is funded by the drinks industry, is looking for an education programme manager to oversee this.

In the job advertisement, it states that the successful applicant will “manage relationships with relevant stakeholders” including the Department of Education, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, teachers’ unions, and parents’ networks.

Senator Jillian van Turnhout is not impressed by the move. Speaking in the Seanad recently, she said the HSE has already provided material on sensible drinking for use in SPHE classes.

There is no role for the drinks industry in our schools. DrinkAware is funded by the drinks industry. It is reprehensible that it even considers going into our schools to educate our young people on drink.
Would we allow representatives of manufacturers of other products to go into schools and educate them on why they should have less of the product?

Fianna Fáil TD Charlie McConalogue recently asked the Education Minister her view on the issue in the Dáil.

Jan O’Sullivan told him:

It is a matter for schools and teachers in the first instance to determine what resources and supports they will use to support their implementation of the curriculum. Teachers are equipped with the skills and knowledge to identify the most suitable resources to assist them in delivering the curriculum in their classroom.

Gemma Tuffy, from the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI), said: “Many organisations seek to work with second-level schools including charitable organisations, public/state organisations, local and national businesses, and multinational companies.”

She reiterated O’Sullivan’s stance that it’s “up to individual teachers and schools to choose which organisations they work with and to set guidelines or protocols for governing interaction between the school and particular organisations”.

Alcohol stock Dominic Lipinski / PA Images Dominic Lipinski / PA Images / PA Images

Tuffy added that young people “are not exploited for commercial advantage” such as the selling of products or services while they’re at school.

“Content supplied to schools or students is appropriate, accurate and does not create false impressions about a product or service. In addition, the ASTI advises that there is prior engagement with the wider school community (including the board, parents reps, etc.) about the involvement of external organisations,” Tuffy stated.

Miriam Taber, Marketing & Communications Manager for DrinkAware, said the organisation is “currently in the planning and development stages of our new strategy so there are no updates to provide as of yet”.

“The exploration is around whether there are ways we can contribute to developing resources that could be of use to teachers and youth workers,” she added.

Opinion: What’s the problem with an “Out-of-Control” drinking campaign?

Read: The first drug to reduce alcohol consumption hits the shelves here

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20 Comments
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    Mute SouperArlene
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    Jan 14th 2020, 10:04 PM

    However let us not forget that former Pope Benedict is responsible for “Crimen sollicitationis”, the Vatican’s officials secret guide for covering up child sexual abuse.

    This shameful document should not be forgotten. Every Catholic needs to know about this:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crimen_sollicitationis?wprov=sfti1

    73
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    Mute Jimmy Farrell
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    Jan 14th 2020, 10:53 PM

    @SouperArlene:

    That was 10 mins I’ll never get back, anyway straight from the page you just linked:

    “There is no basis to assume that the Holy See envisioned this process to be a substitute for any secular legal process, criminal or civil. It is also incorrect to assume, as some have unfortunately done, that these two Vatican documents are proof of a conspiracy to hide sexually abusive priests or to prevent the disclosure of sexual crimes committed by clerics to secular authorities.”

    Ah yes I thought a top secret, Vatican child abuse guide seemed a bit much alright. You’re tin foil hat is on a bit tight.

    45
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    Mute Paul Whitehead
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    Jan 15th 2020, 8:00 AM

    @SouperArlene: I am very curious to see where in this document you can back up your false claim? That is not to say the church has not covered up abuse – clearly it has – but this document is not some secret memo on how to cover up abuse. It is rather the opposite.

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    Mute SouperArlene
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    Jan 15th 2020, 11:52 AM

    Oh my God Jimmy and Paul Whitehead I cant believe you’re defending this document.

    It imposes an oath of secrecy on the child victim, the priest dealing with the allegation and any witnesses. Breaking that oath means excommunication from the Catholic Church.

    So in other words, if the child does not keep quiet about the abuse, he has to go to hell according to their damnable false doctrine.

    How anyone can defend this is beyond belief.

    Good luck to you with your dying religion.

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    Mute Jimmy Farrell
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    Jan 15th 2020, 6:59 PM

    @SouperArlene: I’m defending no-one I’m only calling out your bullsh*t. Have you actually read the link you posted? Read the section on trial confidentiality and get back to me..you are twisting the whole thing to suit your narrative

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    Mute Phillip O'Brien
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    Jan 16th 2020, 12:31 AM

    @SouperArlene: There are many things wrong with your post. The document you refer to was approved by Pope John XXIII and was nothing to do with Pope Benedict.
    Did you read the document? It’s clear you did not.

    1
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    Mute Paul Whitehead
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    Jan 16th 2020, 7:15 AM

    @SouperArlene: Just pointing out that this document is not what you describe it to be. You clearly have never read it in its entirety. You are however right in some aspects of how the church has dealt with abuse by cover up and imposed silence – I am just saying this is not the document that you claim it to be.

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    Mute John McSweeney
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    Jan 14th 2020, 10:08 PM

    “Retired Former Pope” – I didn’t realise ‘Former Pope’ was an actual position. Surely it’s just Former Pope???

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    Mute Gordon Comstock
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    Jan 15th 2020, 12:14 PM

    @John McSweeney: I believe the Pope formerly known as Pontiff is the politically correct term.

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    Mute Phillip O'Brien
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    Jan 16th 2020, 12:32 AM

    @Gordon Comstock: Pope Emeritus is the correct term.

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    Mute Paul Whitehead
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    Jan 16th 2020, 7:07 AM

    @John McSweeney: The correct terminology is ‘Pope Benedict emeritus’… it means retired, but allowed to retain the title of the office.

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    Mute Paraic
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    Jan 14th 2020, 10:44 PM

    Two “sole representatives of God on Earth” in one shot. Stunning

    26
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    Mute Phillip O'Brien
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    Jan 16th 2020, 12:33 AM

    @Paraic: Incorrect – only one pope.

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    Mute Paul Whitehead
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    Jan 16th 2020, 7:09 AM

    @Phillip O’Brien: Incorrect. Benedict is still a Pope. Emeritus. But he retains the title.

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    Mute Phillip O'Brien
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    Jan 16th 2020, 12:43 PM

    @Paul Whitehead: Incorrect – a poor and pope emeritus are not the same thing. Pope Emeritus Benedict can not speak ex cathedra.

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    Mute Dom Layzell
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    Jan 14th 2020, 10:04 PM

    Lovely photo! Can the journal confirm where I could buy a copy?

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    Mute Pat Casey
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    Jan 15th 2020, 8:11 AM

    He could do with allowing married priests in remote parts of Ireland as well, retired priests covering 3 and 4 parishes at the moment.

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    Mute pat seery
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    Jan 15th 2020, 12:00 AM

    Stay behind closed doors please

    8
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    Mute SouperArlene
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    Jan 15th 2020, 11:40 AM

    However Pope Benedict (Ratzinger) cannot deny that he was the main villain behind the notorious Vatican guide for covering up child abuse, namely: ‘Crimen sollicitationis’.

    Even the Vatican acknowledges this now. In any other industry he would be in jail but for some reason he is given a free pass. He is responsible for so many crimes against children it’s mind boggling.

    For more information see:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crimen_sollicitationis?wprov=sfti1

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    Mute SouperArlene
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    Jan 15th 2020, 3:09 PM

    Oops. Apologies for posting twice.
    Still, it’s not like threatening children if they tell on their abusers or anything.

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    Mute Phillip O'Brien
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    Jan 16th 2020, 12:34 AM

    @SouperArlene: Please will you look at when this document was drawn up and who signed it and who approved it and you’ll see it’s of no support to your argument at all.

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    Mute Denis McClean
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    Jan 15th 2020, 2:25 AM

    When pressed, most people will admit, quite rightly in my opinion, to the acceptance of some ‘version’ of ‘god’ cum ‘spirituality’ but these two guys are evidence that the ‘blind do lead the blind’.

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    Mute ÓDuibhír Abú
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    Jan 15th 2020, 7:55 AM

    @Denis McClean: Did He ‘Slap’ his hand I wonder.!!

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    Mute Conoroconnor
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    Jan 15th 2020, 10:12 AM

    @Denis McClean: not me! In fact I think most people know in their heart of hearts it’s all codswollop but dervive some comfort from the incesting delusion that they are not just heading into a deep dark abyss of nothingness when they die.

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