STOP PARTY DRUG DEATHS Hunter Appeal launched
Announcement posted by Thurnham Teece 21 Dec 2018
MEDIA RELEASE – HUNTER LIFE EDUCATION
STOP PARTY DRUG DEATHS
Appeal launched to boost preventative drug education in the Hunter region amid dance party overdoses and deaths.
As we move into the music festival season, childhood health education organisation Hunter Life Education is calling on local residents and businesses to support preventative drug education in a bid to reduce drug related harms in the community.
Hunter Life Education today launched the “Stop Party Drug Deaths” campaign, aimed at tackling the problem of drug and alcohol misuse before it begins.
Hunter Life Education Executive Officer Sarah Gray said it is vital that children in the Hunter region be equipped with the knowledge and skills to make safe choices in relation to drugs and alcohol from an early age.
“We need to teach children about the risks and harms associated with drug and alcohol misuse before it becomes a problem for them and their families and finally the community at large,” Ms Gray said.
“Young people often make decisions based on misinformation from their peers. We need to provide them with reliable information about the impact that drugs can have on their bodies, and dispel the myth that ‘taking drugs is cool’.
"Evidence shows that if young people have more realistic perceptions about the levels of risky behaviour, and attitudes towards these risky behaviours, among their peers, they are less likely to engage in risky behaviour.”
The Hunter region has the highest incidence of methamphetamine (including ICE) presentations to hospital in the state (ref health stats NSW – Hunter New England Health district - Drug Misuse). In Australia last year more than 1700 people – or 32 people per week–died of accidental drug overdose, in addition to this more death occur where drugs were identified as contributory cause. 86 people were taken to hospital from just one Music Festival alone.
“While the festival scene is under scrutiny about resolving its culture of drug taking, we as a community need to understand that drugs are a national problem, and the blame doesn’t lie with festival promoters, action should be taken across all levels to help prevent further harm. Preventative health education is a key part of this solution,” Ms Gray said.
“Hunter Life Education is asking locals to support more children in the area to access its ‘Decisions’ module, which educates 10-13 year-olds about the effects of drugs on the body, dispels myths around drug taking, and equips them with strategies and skills to be safe.
“Starting the conversation about drug related harms early helps prevent problems before they arise. By funding this appeal, children in the Hunter will have the skills and knowledge to make safe and healthy choices when it comes to drugs and alcohol,” Ms Gray said.
Ms Gray also urged parents to visit the Life Education website to access free parent resources about how to help education your children about the dangers of drug and alcohol misuse. https://www.lifeeducation.org.au/parents/decisions
“It costs $26.00 to equip one child with the skills and knowledge they need to make safe and healthy choices about drug and alcohol misuse. In the Hunter region there are around 12,500 years 6 and 7 students enrolled in school for 2019.This means that we need to raise $325,000 to ensure that we can give all children the opportunity attend these valuable lessons. We are calling for everyone to take action including the public and the corporate community,” Ms Gray said.
Adopt a Student - $26.00
Adopt a Class - $625.00
Adopt a School - $4500.00
Money raised in the Hunter will be for the Hunter’s young people, and all donations are tax deductible. To support the Hunter Life Education “Stop Party Drug Deaths” appeal visit https://stoppartydrugdeaths.raisely.com/ or www.hunterlifeeducation.org.au or call 02 4958 6766
Media
For interviews and further information contact Lyn Thurnham, Thurnham Teece 4961 6010
lthurnham@thurnhamteece.com.au
STOP PARTY DRUG DEATHS
Appeal launched to boost preventative drug education in the Hunter region amid dance party overdoses and deaths.
As we move into the music festival season, childhood health education organisation Hunter Life Education is calling on local residents and businesses to support preventative drug education in a bid to reduce drug related harms in the community.
Hunter Life Education today launched the “Stop Party Drug Deaths” campaign, aimed at tackling the problem of drug and alcohol misuse before it begins.
Hunter Life Education Executive Officer Sarah Gray said it is vital that children in the Hunter region be equipped with the knowledge and skills to make safe choices in relation to drugs and alcohol from an early age.
“We need to teach children about the risks and harms associated with drug and alcohol misuse before it becomes a problem for them and their families and finally the community at large,” Ms Gray said.
“Young people often make decisions based on misinformation from their peers. We need to provide them with reliable information about the impact that drugs can have on their bodies, and dispel the myth that ‘taking drugs is cool’.
"Evidence shows that if young people have more realistic perceptions about the levels of risky behaviour, and attitudes towards these risky behaviours, among their peers, they are less likely to engage in risky behaviour.”
The Hunter region has the highest incidence of methamphetamine (including ICE) presentations to hospital in the state (ref health stats NSW – Hunter New England Health district - Drug Misuse). In Australia last year more than 1700 people – or 32 people per week–died of accidental drug overdose, in addition to this more death occur where drugs were identified as contributory cause. 86 people were taken to hospital from just one Music Festival alone.
“While the festival scene is under scrutiny about resolving its culture of drug taking, we as a community need to understand that drugs are a national problem, and the blame doesn’t lie with festival promoters, action should be taken across all levels to help prevent further harm. Preventative health education is a key part of this solution,” Ms Gray said.
“Hunter Life Education is asking locals to support more children in the area to access its ‘Decisions’ module, which educates 10-13 year-olds about the effects of drugs on the body, dispels myths around drug taking, and equips them with strategies and skills to be safe.
“Starting the conversation about drug related harms early helps prevent problems before they arise. By funding this appeal, children in the Hunter will have the skills and knowledge to make safe and healthy choices when it comes to drugs and alcohol,” Ms Gray said.
Ms Gray also urged parents to visit the Life Education website to access free parent resources about how to help education your children about the dangers of drug and alcohol misuse. https://www.lifeeducation.org.au/parents/decisions
“It costs $26.00 to equip one child with the skills and knowledge they need to make safe and healthy choices about drug and alcohol misuse. In the Hunter region there are around 12,500 years 6 and 7 students enrolled in school for 2019.This means that we need to raise $325,000 to ensure that we can give all children the opportunity attend these valuable lessons. We are calling for everyone to take action including the public and the corporate community,” Ms Gray said.
Adopt a Student - $26.00
Adopt a Class - $625.00
Adopt a School - $4500.00
Money raised in the Hunter will be for the Hunter’s young people, and all donations are tax deductible. To support the Hunter Life Education “Stop Party Drug Deaths” appeal visit https://stoppartydrugdeaths.raisely.com/ or www.hunterlifeeducation.org.au or call 02 4958 6766
Media
For interviews and further information contact Lyn Thurnham, Thurnham Teece 4961 6010
lthurnham@thurnhamteece.com.au