Alcohol is a Drug TooIncorporating Reduce Binge Drinking Program into VSL

Curriculum

Our Youth – is Our Future

Reducing Binge Drinking Among the Youth

DO YOU KNOW THAT

Alcohol is the second biggest cause of death

from a drug in Australia? 

Australian Drug Foundation Annual Report (2008)

approximately 2,000 assaults involving young people affected by alcohol

2,472 infringements to minors for possession of alcohol

10,000-15,000 young people apprehended for public drunkenness

Source: ADF Prevention Research Quarterly, June 2009

Young People Involved in Binge Drinking

14-17 y.o

32 %

Source : ADF Report, 2008

18-24 y. o.

64 %

What is Binge Drinking?

drinking heavily over a short period of time

drinking continuously over a number of days or weeks

also commonly known as 'getting smashed', or 'drinking to get drunk'.

Is binge drinking harmful?

Binge drinking can be immediately and directly harmful to your health. It can expose you to injury or to unnecessary risks to yourself and others.

Over 4,700 ambulance attendances in metropolitan Melbourne (ADF Report, 2008)

As well as having adverse short-term effects, binge drinking can also cause long-term effects on health and well-being

24,714 inpatient hospitalisations (ADF Report, 2008)

People can become alcohol-dependent because it is addictive

SIGNIFICANT PHISIOLOGICAL IMPACT on Brain

RBDP Survey results95 % of the young people

between 15-18 y.o. do not see alcohol as a drug

45% of them already tested and use alcohol on “special occasions”

12% drink alcohol when “bored”

98% agree that alcohol should be a part of the special occasions (family gatherings, birthdays, sporting events, ext.)

Alcohol is the most widely used recreational drug in Australia

We have a youth culture of socially accepting the drinking of alcohol

Social Implication

Paul Dillop, Director of Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia

“Lost generation” ?

VSL TEACHER ROLEDrug

education

Language learning

Life learning

Contents of the Folder INCORPORATING RBDP INTO VSL

CURRICULUMWhat is alcohol?How does alcohol affect people?What happens to alcohol in the body?Why people drink alcohol?What to do when you or people close to you

have alcohol-related problem?Keeping yourself safe at partiesHow much you can drink?