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PurposeTo 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.

Young People and Drugs

What is drug misuse?

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.

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Problems associated with adolescent drug

misuse• 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.

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Prevalence of drug use among NSW secondary students 12 to 17

years

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IMPORTANT NOTEMost young people who try alcohol and illicit drugs do not become problem drug

users.

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Reasons young people use

drugs• 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

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Indicators of possible drug use

problems• 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 school8 Young People and Drugs

Identifying possible

drug use problems: Cautionary notes

• 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’.

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Confidentiality and privacy

Issues of confidentiality and privacy can arise when teachers discuss possible drug use with students.

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Limits of confidentiality

• 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.

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Talking to young people about possible drug use

• 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

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Strategies to support students

• 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 available13 Young People and Drugs

Useful contacts for

schools• Drug education consultants• Student welfare consultants• NSW Health:- Area School-Link coordinators- Drug and Alcohol Services

• Telephone help lines• Websites• Departmental resources

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What is the role of the school in prevention?

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.

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Drug prevention framework

Quality learning

and teaching

Preventative

drug education and proactive

student wellbeing

approaches

Effective support for

students at risk Home, school

and community

partnerships

Community support

Safe, supportive and engaging environment

Parent involvement and support

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Prevention involves interaction between the

three focus areas

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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

Prevention and early intervention

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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.

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The Stages of Change model

CONTEMPLATION

‘Hmmm …… Maybe this isn’t good for me’

PRECONTEMPLATION

DECISION

‘What problem?’

‘That’s it … I’m going to quit!

RELAPSE

ACT NOW

‘Oops … I used again’ ‘I’m doing something about it now’

MAINTENANCE

‘I’m still not using’

LONG TERM CHANGE

‘I haven’t used for ages’ Source: Mentha, H. 2001

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Referral to the school counsellor

• 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

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Involving parents and caregivers

• 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

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Supporting students whose parents use

drugs• 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 neglect23 Young People and Drugs

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

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Early intervention strategy

• Context for early intervention:whole school drug prevention and intervention.

• Early intervention options:1. Keep them talking – a staff resource2. KEEP LEFT: Smoking cessation in schools3. Alcohol – My Reality.

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Review of current drug prevention and intervention

practices

Strengths identified from the survey

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Areas for improvement identified

Survey results:

Helping students to be non-smokers

• 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

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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

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