Page 2409 - Week 07 - Thursday, 17 August 2006

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• ACT Department of Education and Training received $42,180 to provide professional development to primary and secondary school teachers.

• Nine primary and secondary schools across ACT government, non-government and independent sectors received a total of $110,760 for peer education projects.

(2) Drug education programs have been delivered to:

• All ACT Government secondary colleges.

• Government and non-government services including the Canberra Institute of Technology, ACT Dental Health Clinic, Department of Housing and Community Services, Canberra Sexual Health Clinic, ACTION Buses and Galilee Youth Service.

• Community organisations such as Family and Friends for Drug Law Reform and staff from government services such as Children, Youth and Family Services.

• ACT primary and secondary school teachers from across the ACT government, non-government and independent sectors.

(3) Key topic focuses for the drug education programs:

• Education was delivered on a wide range of issues relating to drug use. Topics were tailored to the specific requests and covered areas such as: overview of alcohol and drug trends – cause and effect; types of drugs; common drug terms; harm minimization; who uses drugs; why do people use drugs; how are people who use drugs portrayed; drug effects; communication skills; parenting strategies; laws about drugs; drug and alcohol issues in culturally and linguistically diverse communities; drug and alcohol generational issues; and child protection.

• Professional development of teachers was based on Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) Drug Education principles. The principles are organised around four key themes for effective drug education. They are:

1. Comprehensive and Evidence Based Practice: focusing on the overall approach and outcomes for effective school drug education and links to the National Drug Strategy goal of harm minimisation.

2. Positive School Climate and Relationship: focusing on schools providing supportive and nurturing environments and relationships as part of effective school drug education.

3. Targeted to Needs and Context: focusing on schools identifying and responding to local community needs and priorities for school drug education policies and practices.

4. Effective Pedagogy: focusing on schools planning and delivering drug education programs and activities within a curriculum framework and ensuring use of appropriate learning and teaching strategies.

• The peer education projects aim to target priority areas for preventing and reducing harm for our children and young people.

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