Young People and

Drugs:a guide for school staff to support students

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Purpose

• implement appropriate prevention and intervention strategies to support young people with drug use problems

• identify when a young person may have a drug use problem

• link young people and families to services and resources

• access drug and alcohol information services.

To assist schools to:

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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 young people 12 to 17 years

Table 3: Australian Secondary Students’ Alcohol and Drugs (ASSAD) Survey 2005 Students aged 12–17 years

SubstancePercentage reporting ever used

Percentage reporting use in the last 12 months

Males Females Males Females

Analgesics/painkillers 93.2 96.4 89.9 94.1

Alcohol 86.0 85.0 68.0 66.0

Tobacco 35.0 35.0 21.0 24.0

Cannabis 19.4 16.1 15.6 12.9

Inhalants 17.4 17.0 12.8 13.1

Tranquillisers (non-medical use) 14.8 15.5 8.6 9.4

Amphetamines (non-medical use) 6.0 4.7 4.9 3.4

Hallucinogens 4.3 2.1 3.5 1.5

Ecstasy 4.4 3.3 3.7 2.6

Opiates 2.7 2.2 2.0 1.4

Cocaine 3.5 2.3 2.8 1.6

Steroids 3.4 1.8 2.6 1.4

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IMPORTANT NOTE

Most 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 school

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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

Issues of confidentiality 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

and support• Refer to outside agencies• Provide school-based support as appropriate:

- Learning support team

- Support teacher/learning

- Support teacher/behaviour

- Home school liaison officer.

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Useful contacts for schools• Drug education consultants• Student welfare consultants• Area School-Link coordinators• NSW area health drug and alcohol

services• Telephone help lines• Websites• DET 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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A framework for prevention of drug use problems

Quality learning and teaching Preventative drug education

and student

welfare programs 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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Drug prevention: Safe, supportive and engaging environment

• Promote a sense of belonging at school

• Provide support at transition points

• Build positive social behaviours and problem solving skills

• Promote pastoral care relationships

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Drug prevention: Quality learning and teaching

• Provide a curriculum that engages and meets the needs of students

• Ensure drug education is taught within the PDHPE curriculum K–10 and Crossroads 11–12

• Teach drug education in a planned, sequential and developmentally appropriate manner

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Drug prevention: Home, school and community partnerships• Consult parents and local community

• Develop positive partnerships with local area health, police and other support services to:

- link students and their families to supports

- ensure continuity of care for young people

- strengthen response to drug issues.

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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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The Stages of Change model

CONTEMPLATION “HMMM … MAYBE THIS ISN’T SO GOOD FOR ME”

PRECONTEMPLATION DECISION “WHAT PROBLEM?” “THAT’S IT … I’M GOING TO QUIT”

RELAPSE ACTION “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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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 neglect

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Helping students to be non-smokers

• Ensure students are aware of rules and consequences• Do not automatically suspend for possession of

tobacco• Include tobacco education in PDHPE• Provide information about QUIT programs or form a

QUIT group• Provide incentives to quit• Display anti-smoking stickers and posters• Use Smoke screen: a smoking prevention resource

(Stages 3 and 4)• Participate in The Critics' Choice