Purpose

2. To assist schools to: implement appropriate prevention strategies to support young people at risk of drug related harm identify when a young person may have a drug use problem plan and implement targeted intervention to support young people with drug use problems link young people and families to services and resources access drug and alcohol information services. Purpose Young People and Drugs

3. Drug misuse is any use of drugs that causes physical, psychological, economic, legal or social harm to the individual user or to others by the drug user’s behaviour. What is drug misuse? 3 Young People and Drugs

4. Brain development in adolescence may be affected. Delayed maturation during adolescence may impede important developmental tasks. Drug use disorders are often associated with mental health disorders, suicide and a history of abuse. Problems associated with adolescent drug misuse 4 Young People and Drugs

5. Prevalence of drug use among NSW secondary students 12 to 17 years 5 Young People and Drugs

6. IMPORTANT NOTE Most young people who try alcohol and illicit drugs do not become problem drug users. 6 Young People and Drugs

7. • To experiment • To have fun • To heighten sensations • To rebel • To relax • To relieve boredom • To fit in with peers • To cope with problems • Because they are available Reasons young people use drugs 7 Young People and Drugs

8. Changes in appearance and wellbeing Mood swings or significant personality change Loss of initiative Decline in academic performance Increased need for money and secrecy Intoxication at school Indicators of possible drug use problems 8 Young People and Drugs

9. Behavioural change may be due to causes other than drug use. Drug use is not necessarily drug misuse. Drug use may increase as a result of getting into trouble for initial drug use and being labelled a ‘drug user’. Identifying possible drug use problems:Cautionary notes 9 Young People and Drugs

10. Issues of confidentiality and privacy can arise when teachers discuss possible drug use with students. Confidentiality and privacy 10 Young People and Drugs

11. Teachers have a duty of care to protect young people against risks of harm. Teachers should advise the principal of concerns about the welfare and safety of young people Confidentiality may be limited by the requirements to advise the principal of concerns. Students should be advised of the limits to confidentiality from the outset. Limits of confidentiality 11 Young People and Drugs

12. Consider who is the best person to approach the student Express concerns that can be supported by facts Encourage the student to talk Listen carefully and avoid moralising Don’t use ‘scare tactics’ Offer information or help Talking to young people about possible drug use 12 Young People and Drugs

13. Offer support and information Refer to the school counsellor for assessment, support or referral to outside agencies Provide school based support as appropriate: - Learning support team - Support teachers - Home school liaison officer Refer for brief intervention, if available Strategies to support students 13 Young People and Drugs

14. Drug education consultants Student welfare consultants NSW Health: - Area School-Link coordinators - Drug and Alcohol Services Telephone help lines Websites Departmental resources Useful contacts for schools 14 Young People and Drugs

15. Providing a safe and supportive school environment where a student’s social, emotional and learning needs are met is most important in preventing drug use problems. What is the role of the school in prevention? 15 Young People and Drugs

16. Drug prevention framework Quality learning and teaching Preventative drug education and proactive student wellbeing approaches Parent involvement and support Effective support for students at risk Safe, supportive and engaging environment Home, school and community partnerships Community support 16 Young People and Drugs

17. Prevention involves interaction between the three focus areas Quality learning and teaching: – Provide curriculum that engages students and meets their needs – Teach drug education with K to 6, 7 to 10 and Crossroads 11 to 12 – Teach drug education in a planned, sequential and developmentally appropriate manner Safe, supportive learning environment: – Promote sense of belonging – Provide support at transition points – Build prosocial behaviours and problem solving skills – Promote pastoral care relationships Home, school and community partnerships: – Consult parent and local community – Develop positive partnerships 17 Young People and Drugs

18. Prevention and early intervention 18 Young People and Drugs

19. What is the role of the school in early intervention? The earlier a young person begins using tobacco, alcohol or other drugs, the more likely it is that they will later develop a pattern of problematic use. Intervening early to prevent a pattern of problematic drug use becoming established is important. 19 Young People and Drugs

20. CONTEMPLATION ‘Hmmm …… Maybe this isn’t good for me’ DECISION PRECONTEMPLATION ‘That’s it … I’m going to quit! ‘What problem?’ ACT NOW RELAPSE ‘I’m doing something about it now’ ‘Oops … I used again’ MAINTENANCE ‘I’m still not using’ LONG TERM CHANGE Source: Mentha, H. 2001 ‘I haven’t used for ages’ The Stages of Changemodel 20 Young People and Drugs

21. The student has been suspended Drug use is associated with high levels of risk The student appears to be drug dependent Drug use interferes with life at school and in the community Drug use is associated with other problems – behavioural, family or mental health Referral to the school counsellor 21 Young People and Drugs

22. Be reassuring and don’t over dramatise Help the parents explore options Involve the student in decisions Give information and/ or suggest referral Allow the parents to express their concerns Involving parents and caregivers 22 Young People and Drugs

23. Reframe perceptions of disloyalty Encourage discussion Advise young people to seek help from a trusted relative or family member Promote a positive outlook Report suspected abuse and neglect Supporting students whose parents use drugs 23 Young People and Drugs

24. Improving drug prevention and intervention Learn about early intervention options Identify school needs from the review Consider how to address school needs Determine staff training needs Plan for targeted intervention 24 Young People and Drugs

25. Early intervention strategy • Context for early intervention:whole school drug prevention and intervention. • Early intervention options: 1. Keep them talking – a staff resource 2. KEEP LEFT: Smoking cessation in schools 3. Alcohol – My Reality. 25 Young People and Drugs

26. Review of current drug prevention and intervention practices Survey results: Areas for improvement identified Strengths identified from the survey 26 Young People and Drugs

27. Ensure students and the school community are aware of rules and consequences Treat smoking, firstly, as a health issue Include tobacco education in PDHPE Provide information about QUIT programs Implement a brief intervention (KEEP LEFT) Provide incentives to reduce and quit Display anti-smoking stickers and posters Use appropriate resources in PDHPE eg Smoke screen, The Critics’ Choice Helping students to be non-smokers 27 Young People and Drugs

28. Helping students to stay safe around alcohol Treat adolescent drinking as a health issue Include alcohol education in PDHPE Provide information about alcohol guidelines for students, staff and parents Promote behaviours that help students avoid alcohol related harm Provide normative education about alcohol use Provide information to parents to help them manage the drinking behaviour of their children 28 Young People and Drugs