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Launch of new approach to teen drug awareness program receives positive feedback from schools and community

Announcement posted by Underground Communications 25 Aug 2011

3 Minutes-all it takes to save your mate

A new approach to drug awareness was launched by Northern Beaches GP, Doctor Themi Garagounis (Doctor TG) at Dee Why RSL Club on Sydney’s Northern Beaches on 23rd August.

At this special launch event Doctor TG showcased a new presentation program that he will take into schools aimed at helping teens to recognise when their mates need intervention and help, as well as knowing how to deal with a crisis situation that can occur at any time when drugs, alcohol and partying are involved.

Doctor TG, author, media commentator, speaker and medical practitioner for over 22 years took to the stage to give attendees a presentation that didn’t just confront the reality of drug use and overdose, but provided the teens with practical advice and help with how to deal with different situations. It encouraged teens to act, and take a mature and positive response that means they reach for the phone to dial 000 rather than being afraid the consequences.

Following Doctor TG’s presentation the open forum discussion with special guests, Michael Robertson and Vic Mauro from The Manly Sea Eagles, and Kerri Pottharst, Eagles Angel and Olympic Gold Medal winner, gave the audience a chance to get a feel for how teens can change their approach to this issue and what the consequences can be of taking illicit drugs in terms of meltdown and physical reaction.

“I have seen day in and day out, the problems teens encounter when it comes to drugs through my medical practice” says Doctor TG.

“One of the main themes coming out in the media, both here and overseas at the moment, is that the thing that’s having the most effect on drug related deaths is the lack of action, or bystanders being indecisive and acting too late to do something to help.”

“My main aim is to try and give our youth the take-away concept of at the very least, calling 000 and staying until help arrives, as soon as you recognise that something is wrong.

In a recent study, 1 in 4 teenagers admitted to taking drugs which means that 3 out of 4 are not. Dr Themi wants to capitalise on the fact there is a community of non drug takers, he wants to mobilise them and encourage positive peer pressure to ensure the youth of today live long, happy and healthy lives.

The response from the schools was clear, this program needs to be introduced to help give young people strategies to deal with any situation.

Lyn Christie, Acting Principal at NBSC Mackellar Girls Campus, said, “I believe it is a very worthwhile message to give to young people today. The presentation will help to give young people strategies to deal with unexpected situations that they might find themselves in. It will complement the Crossroads Personal Development program that currently operates in our school.”

This sentiment was echoed by Trent Masters, Year 11 Coordinator at St Paul’s Catholic College, Manly. “It would be ignorant to think that our students will never be affected in some way by drug use, either as a user or a friend. But it goes beyond just informing students about the effects of drug use. If students can receive strategies on how to handle a difficult and potentially life threatening situation, they won’t feel threatened by the situation but will feel empowered to make responsible choices for all concerned.”

The 3 Minutes launch was supported by the Dee Why RSL club and Freshwater Community Bank branch of Bendigo Bank.

“We were thrilled to hear of this new initiative starting on the northern beaches and eager to support Doctor Themi getting his important message out to local schools. His focus on educating teens to identify drug and alcohol abuse amongst their peers is a strategy all Australian schools could consider implementing into their own community,” says Melanie Carson, Business Development Officer at Freshwater Community Bank branch of Bendigo Bank.

The program will now be rolled out into schools across Sydney and will provide hands-on practical sessions to the students, as well as optional parental sessions aimed at recognising signs of drug use and how to support children through this.

About 3 Minutes

3 Minutes is a thought-provoking and interactive presentation aimed at helping teens in years 10-12 rediscover a sense of community in their lives and look out for their friends when it comes to habitual drug use. It's about mateship, survival and the realisation that life can be fun without chemicals and poisons. The primary focus of 3 Minutes is to tackle the myths of drug taking being risky, rebellious and ‘cool’ and equip the younger generation with the knowledge to act quickly when a crisis presents itself. www.facebook.com/3minutessaveyourmate

About Doctor TG

Doctor Themi Garagounis is a certified medical practitioner, author, motivational speaker and media commentator. Graduating from the University Of NSW School Of Medicine in 1989, Themi was the youngest Neurosurgical trainee in Australia at the time. For over 20 years, Doctor TG has been helping teenagers, their families and communities deal with the negatives and dangers of drug experimentation and dependency fact to face within his medical practice. In order to make a difference in the lives of teens across Australia, Themi has turned his attention to his speaking engagements with the youth of today and the creation of 3 Minutes.
www.doctortg.com.au