23536
Bluelight Crew
Victoria's secondary schools will dump their "just say no" approach to drug and alcohol education as part of a radical new attack on teen boozing and drug taking.
Students will practise first aid for overdoses, pour standard drinks, and study drug-free ways to achieve a "high", in a new curriculum.
The Government will roll out the program, for year 8 and 9 students, this year after a successful three-year trial in 21 Victorian schools.
The award-winning trial found that teaching teenagers about alcohol - rather than demanding abstinence - was the most effective way of cutting binge drinking rates.
And it is believed the same tactics will work for drug use and other risk-taking behaviour.
"This marks a major departure from the 'just say no' practices of the past," Education Minister Martin Dixon said.
"The program is based on the most up to date, evidence-based research and is focused on building resilience in young people so they can make informed and safe decisions," the Education Minister said.
The trial, conducted by the Education Department and two universities, found lessons focusing on "harm reduction" - instead of strict "abstinence" from alcohol - had more success cutting excessive drinking rates by teens.
While the number of students initially experimenting with alcohol did not change, "risky" levels of drinking decreased, along with the number of teenagers actively "planning to get drunk".
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/vi...m-on-drugs-booze/story-fn7x8me2-1226413898395
Students will practise first aid for overdoses, pour standard drinks, and study drug-free ways to achieve a "high", in a new curriculum.
The Government will roll out the program, for year 8 and 9 students, this year after a successful three-year trial in 21 Victorian schools.
The award-winning trial found that teaching teenagers about alcohol - rather than demanding abstinence - was the most effective way of cutting binge drinking rates.
And it is believed the same tactics will work for drug use and other risk-taking behaviour.
"This marks a major departure from the 'just say no' practices of the past," Education Minister Martin Dixon said.
"The program is based on the most up to date, evidence-based research and is focused on building resilience in young people so they can make informed and safe decisions," the Education Minister said.
The trial, conducted by the Education Department and two universities, found lessons focusing on "harm reduction" - instead of strict "abstinence" from alcohol - had more success cutting excessive drinking rates by teens.
While the number of students initially experimenting with alcohol did not change, "risky" levels of drinking decreased, along with the number of teenagers actively "planning to get drunk".
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/vi...m-on-drugs-booze/story-fn7x8me2-1226413898395
