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WELCOME TO OUR NOVEMBER E-NEWSLETTER
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Dear *|FNAME|*,
Term 4 school holidays are just around the corner! End-of-school celebrations such as Schoolies/Leavers Week are already starting for many Year 12 students, and many young people are looking forward to parties with friends and other social events!
In this newsletter, you'll find resources for educators and other health professionals supporting young people to avoid drug related harms, stay safe and have fun!
You'll also find information on school-based prevention programs, including the recent OurFutures Vaping Module and our free webinar this Wednesday which will help you with planning for the school year ahead in 2026!
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RECENT HIGHLIGHT FROM US:
10 YEARS OF POSITIVE CHOICES!
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DON'T MISS OUR FINAL WEBINAR FOR 2025,
12PM THIS WEDNESDAY
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It's not too late to register for our free webinar Wednesday 26th November at 12pm Sydney time!
Join Dr Lauren Gardner and Mrs Natalie Gorgioski for this 1-hour session as they delve into how evidence-based substance use prevention and mental health programs OurFutures and PreVenture are being implemented in schools across Australia.
Both presenters will now also be joined by David Brown, Dean of Students at Scotch College Melbourne, who will offer an educator's perspective on:
- The barriers and facilitators teachers experience when using mental health and substance use programs in schools
- Practical advice for delivering evidence-based education in the classroom
There will also be an opportunity to join a live Q&A session following the presentation.
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Interested but unable to attend? Make sure that you still register to receive the post-webinar recording + presentation slides!
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RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS AND SCHOOLS
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New Recommended Program:
OurFutures Vaping Module
OurFutures Vaping Prevention Module is currently free for all Year 7-8 high school students! With more than more than 850 Australian Schools delivering the program, results show that after completion, students are 65% less likely to vape! Access it here.
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Harm Reduction: Set, Setting, Drug
As the school year closes out for students and major social events such as Schoolies/Leavers Week begin, it's important that young people are equiped to consider all potential risks associated with alcohol and drug use to help them avoid or reduce related harms. Share the 'Set, Setting & Drug' framework with your class.
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Drugs A to Z Factsheet: Inhalants
Inhalants are volatile substances or solvents, often found in common household products, that a person sniffs or breaths in to feel intoxicated or ‘high’. Roughly 1 in 5 Australian students (20%) reported having ever used inhalants. To learn about the different types of inhalants and their effects, click here.
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Choosing resources for school-based prevention
Are you planning your drug and alcohol education lessons for the new school year? Unsure what resources or programs are appropriate for your students? It's important to consider the research that shows whether they will be effective. For more tips, click here.
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RESOURCES FOR ABORIGINAL AND
TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER COMMUNITIES
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A trusted teacher or school staff member can be the first person a student talks to about alcohol and other drug use. It's important that you're comfortable responding to them if they come to you and that you can refer them to other sources of help available in your area. This factsheet contains some tips on how to successfully talk to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth about alcohol and other drug use.
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The short-term effectiveness of school-based drug prevention programs has been well established. However, research has revealed their positive effects can last up to 7 years after such programs are delivered. This blog post unpacks these findings and offers advice for schools choosing a prevention program.
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A recent study has revealed that younger Australians are drinking less alcohol than previous generations. Generation Z (followed by Millennials) are far more likely to abstain and drink less overall compared to Baby Boomers. Check out our recorded webinar presented by A/Prof Michael Livingston to learn about why youth drinking has declined.
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Want to stay up to date with the latest evidence-based drug education resources and prevention programs for young people, as well as relevant news, research and events?
Don't forget to follow us on Facebook, X and now Bluesky! Links provided below:
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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 teachers and educators within your networks, as well as health professionals interested in drug prevention for young people, and encourage them to subscribe here.
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