News

Get Real for drugs prevention

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 09:44:00

A pilot project is being rolled out to a group of primary school students in Mildura in a bid to protect them and their peer groups from the risk of alcohol and drugs problems in future.

The program is being co-ordinated by the Mildura Aboriginal Corporation’s Alcohol and Other Drugs Unit and has involved 12 students from Mildura Primary School.
The program’s nurse manager Raelene Stephens said the program was aimed at the eight to 12-year-old age-group.
“Because of the age-group we are targeting, the focus has been on keeping the program fun and keeping it positive,” Ms Stephens said.
“The concept is to develop the core group of students as champions and to help them and others in their peer groups to make better choices in life as they develop through their schooling.
“It’s been wonderful to see growing self-assurance in the children who’ve been involved.
“They are saying that they feel stronger within themselves about making safe choices and also with supporting others in their peer groups to make better decisions.”
Ms Stephens said the school had chosen the children for the program based on their potential for leadership and their potential to benefit from strengthening their decision-making skills.
“It has been very hand-on, game and activity-focussed and the result has been that the children have engaged with enthusiasm – they have loved it,” she said.
“There’s a real mix of children, from various backgrounds, some Aboriginal, some non-Aboriginal, but right across the board we have noticed a positive change in the children who’ve taken part.”
The program is based on research showing the most effective approach to preventing drug and alcohol problems among young people is to focus on strengthening family relationships and building opportunities for success in schooling.
“Protective factors are about supporting family, building and maintaining good relationships with appropriate peers and to have at least one trusted adult who is actively involved in the child’s life,” Ms Stephens said.
“Activities like school participation, good social skills and participation in sports and social activities are all important in reducing the risk of alcohol or drug use.
“So a program aimed at preventing drug use among children and young people needs to look at having influence in as many of these areas as is possible.
“An effective approach is not only more likely to succeed, but can also benefit the young person in other areas in future such as mental health, educational success and sexual health.”
The pilot group has been involved in half-day sessions once a week during term one. 
As well as structured activities around the prevention of drug use, activities during the five-week program have included photography and visits to the police and ambulance stations, local government youth service and Mildura Aboriginal Corporation. 
It is hoped to roll out the program to other local schools later in the year.
The final session for the Mildura Primary School students is being held on Thursday, with a graduation ceremony in front of parents, carers and support groups to follow that night.
The program has been run by the Mildura Aboriginal Corporation, in conjunction with Mildura Primary School. 
It has been co- facilitated by Ian Seal, from the THREE for All Foundation, a new Melbourne based organisation that works to support community–based approaches to meeting the needs of children and young people worldwide