Dear *|FNAME|*,
With Term 2 is now underway, you may be seeking effective drug and alcohol education resources for your classroom. Perhaps you would like some additional resources to supplement the plans you have already made for the year ahead?
Whichever the case, Positive Choices is your key point of reference for evidence-based programs and resources that are curriculum-aligned, engaging for students and easy-to-use for teachers and school staff.
In this newsletter, we explore the latest research around a concerning trend amongst young people - e-cigarettes and vaping. You will also find a range of resources for teachers and school-based programs that address other issues related to drug and alcohol related harms to students.
The Positive Choices portal for teachers and schools provides advice and information to help you talk to your students about drugs and alcohol. To access these resources:
|
|
|
REGISTER FOR OUR UPCOMING WEBINAR!
|
|
E-cigarettes have become one of the most hotly debated topics in recent years, and use among young people is rising rapidly. This webinar will be presented by Dr Emily Stocking from the Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use. The webinar will:
- Give an overview of e-cigarette trends in Australia
- Summarise potentially effective interventions for schools
- Give an update on upcoming trials and resources
- Provide some brief tips for engaging in conversations about vaping with young people.
|
|
|
Need to know more about electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and vaping before the webinar? This factsheet for teachers and schools provides information on what they are, how many young people are using them, as well as the immediate & long term health effects of vaping.
|
|
|
RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS AND SCHOOLS
|
|
|
Preventure: a school-based intervention
Preventure is an intervention program aimed at reducing students' drug and alcohol use and improving emotional well-being. It focuses on motivating teenagers to understand how their personality style leads to certain emotional and behavioural reactions, and has proven both feasible and effective when delivered by trained school staff. To register your interest in future Preventure training, click here.
|
|
How teachers can guide students against drug and alcohol related harms
Young people are likely to spend more waking hours in the school environment around teachers than at home with their parents, making the school's social environment a key factor influencing the development of young people. This factsheet provides useful tips for correcting common misperceptions that young people have about alcohol and other drugs.
|
|
|
Video: Think Smart
Think Smart is a hip-hop music video that explores the potentially harmful consequences of drinking alcohol, highlighting themes of self-respect, family, community, moderation and alcohol-fuelled violence. To view this highly engaging health education resource, click here.
|
|
smokeSCREEN: E-cigarette prevention game
smokeSCREEN is a video game aimed at preventing smoking and vaping among adolescents. In the game players complete a series of challenges to make new friends and be a successful student, teaching them how to make safe choices when being peer pressured. Click here to access smokeSCREEN.
|
|
|
RESOURCES FOR ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER COMMUNITIES
|
|
Have you visited the website for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities?
Positive Choices shares knowledge to help teachers and school staff talk about alcohol and other drugs with young people. There are resources and information created with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to help young people stay strong and safe. Click here to check it out now!
|
|
|
|
A recent government report by The Australian National University found use of nicotine e-cigarettes increases the risk of several adverse health outcomes, particularly in youth. These included taking up smoking, addiction, poisoning, seizures, burns & injuries (e.g. lung injury) . Read the full report here.
|
|
|
|
A recent study among >2,900 risky teen drinkers found that larger quantities of alcohol consumed increased the risk of harm to others. An increase of six Australian standard drinks increased the chance of harm perpetration by 15%. Learn more here.
|
|
|
|
There are growing concerns about young people being exposed to vaping-related content on TikTok. Despite the platform's removal of vaping-related hashtags in the US, a recent study found that only a small proportion of content appears to be removed, and there is high engagement with the content that remains.
|
|
|
|
Learning with FASD is currently seeking feedback from primary school staff to evaluate their new online portal. Learning with FASD provides resources to help educators understand and support children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in Australian schools. Complete both surveys here to enter a prize draw to win a $1,000 Prezzee e-gift voucher. But be quick - entries close Monday 9th May at 5.00pm AEST!
|
|
|
|
Do you know someone aged 16-25 with an interest in mental health, drug and alcohol research? We are looking for young people to take part in an anonymous online survey to help set priorities for future prevention research, exploring issues affecting youth mental health and substance use in Australia. To find out more, click here.
|
|
|
|
ORDER YOUR FREE BOOKLETS!
|
|
The aim of this e-newsletter is to provide our subscribers with information about drug prevention resources, and to share relevant news and events.
Please help us spread the word by forwarding this newsletter to other teachers and educators in your networks, and encourage them to subscribe here.
|
|
|
|