Drug Education is one element in a broad, whole of government approach to search for effective ways to reduce the harms to society and to individuals. In this context, schools have an important role to play both in primary prevention and early intervention.
All schools are required to develop a policy for drug education every four years, known as The School Drug Education Plan (formerly - ISDES). This plan is developed alongside the School Self Evaluation and School Strategic Plan in the year of school review.
In schools drug education is more than just providing information about drugs. To be effective Drug Education must develop skills in young people to enable them to cope with their problems and deal with drug related issues. The philosophy underpinning drug education is a harm minimisation approach.
The issue of drugs in our society is a complex one with no simple solutions. It encompasses a broad range of considerations from medicines to enhance health, the role of alcohol in society, the extent of tobacco-related illness, to the use of illicit drugs.
Funding for schools
Various funding is available for schools to implement drug education in their schools:
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Drug Education Evaluation and Monitoring funding (DEEM) is available in the year prior to a school undergoing review. It supports the development of the School Drug Education Plan.
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School Community Approaches to Drug Education (SCADE)
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Student Participation Drug Education Forums funding
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Special Projects funding.
Regional support
Gippsland Region provides support for Drug Education via a range of professional learning programs. Details regarding programs on offer can be found at PDOnline (http://www.pd-online.com.au)
Resources
Schools can access a number of excellent drug education resources online.
Department of Education – Victorian School Drug Education
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/studentlearning/programs/drugeducation/
Australian Drug Foundation
www.adf.org.au
Family Drug Help
www.familydrughelp.sharc.org.au
REDI (Commonwealth) a website for drug resources for Australian School Communities
www.redi.gov.au
Drug and Alcohol Services for Young People in Victoria
www.health.vic.gov.au
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