Drug-Safe Schools
Protecting our children at school
Preventing school-aged children from experimenting with drugs of all types is a core objective of creating a Drug-Safe Community programme. Preventing students from experimenting with illicit drugs during their school years will go a long way to preventing them from becoming habitual users throughout their lives.
Research tells us that most long term drug users have their initial exposure at school and by a "friend".
A Drug-safe Schoolyard programme allows Communities to introduce an education workshop that addresses the physiological impact of drug use and introduce an intervention (random drug screening programme) programme that mirrors this growing trend in the Australian workplace.
"Why 'KNOW DRUGS' drug information lessons work!"
Over recent years schools have introduced well produced and detailed information to assist teachers and students understand the detrimental effects of drugs. whilst these programmes have worked to varying degrees by providing information, they have done very little in preventing the introduction of serious drugs into the schoolyard.
We're all aware that the information provided by the Police to prevent drink driving had little effect until random roadside breath testing commenced. A a result, alcohol related accidents plummeted almost overnight. Goodness knows how many of us are alive today as a result of this programme. Similarly, we need to develop and introduce programmes of random alcohol& other drugs screening into our schools to support the information workshops, and by doing so, deny access to those who would prey upon our School children, in the one place that should be a safe haven and centre for learning.
The Drug-Safe 'KNOW DRUGS' workshop is designed to appeal to teenagers, delivered by their peers (young adults) in their own language and style.
The Drug-Safe 'KNOW DRUGS' information workshop is provided in an easy to use DVD format with a questionnaire/assessment programme similar to the Drug-Safe Workplace induction programme, currently being used by large businesses throughout Australia. This is a clearly outlined, concise information session that explains the effect drug use will have on the body and brain, with difficult questions answered in a no-nonsense manner.
If your child is attending a school that isn't a Drug-Safe School, as a responsible parent you should ask why!
If the teaching Principal and teaching staff aren't aware of their responsibilities towards your child please direct them to this website for more details and information as to how they can create a Drug-Safe School.
"Why drug-screen at school and not at home?"
The sacred bond of trust that exists between a parent and child should never be challenged as the family is generally the first and last safe-haven in which a child can retreat. This should never be threatened by insisting a child has a drug test (even though most parents would like to know that their child is OK and safe from drugs).
It is far better for all concerned for parents to work with the school teaching staff to introduce a Drug-Safe School programme and conduct a random screening programme as a natural development of the 'KNOW DRUGS' education workshops.
It's better for a parent to agree to participate in the school's Drug-Safe Programme than challenge the child themselves. If the teenager understands they will be asked to participate in a drug screening programme sometime through the year the will be far less inclined to be influenced by their peer group to try illegal drugs or alcohol. From experience, we have found that a teenager will have a greater fear of being identified to their parents as a drug user than trying a substance that could cause serious psychological or permanent brain damage.
The Drug-Safe School programme needs to be an accepted part of the day-to-day curriculum, either as a "transition to the workplace" or as a "No drugs in Sport" type programme (or both). These are two non-threatening and sensitive programmes that any school can introduce at any time, quickly and efficiently which will achieve maximum results. Details of the Drug-Safe School programme (in comprehensive kit form) are available to all schools from late 2009. Click on the enquiry tab below for more details.