The Advocate The official newsletter of Arndell Anglican College #NotEvenOnce® Drug Prevention Project The use of alcohol and other drugs has been identified as a significant problem for young people both globally and within our local area. The human brain is not fully developed until between the ages of 25 and 28. Not only do young people become intoxicated faster than adults they also won’t necessarily show signs of it until it’s too late. Furthermore adolescents are 5-6 times more likely to become addicted to Alcohol and other Drugs than an adult would taking up use. The evidence is clear that until the brain is fully developed no consumption of alcohol or drugs is safe. Yet the National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2016 reported that 10% of young people aged 12-17 indicate that they are drinking alcohol at least monthly. Similarly, in regards to illicit drugs, while the rates of use by young people have decreased over time, approximately 10% of 14-19 year olds have used cannabis in the last 12 months; 3% have tried ecstasy, and 1% have tried cocaine and methamphetamines. In light of these concerns Windsor RSL, supported by Hawkesbury Council and the Windsor Local Area Command, funded the delivery of the ‘#NotEvenOnce® Drug Prevention Project’ across high schools in the Hawkesbury region of New South Wales. Because of this financial support over the last three years Arndell Anglican College has had the privilege of hosting representatives from Teen Challenge as they have delivered elements of their ‘#NotEvenOnce® Drug Prevention Project’. Teen Challenge is an international network of Christian faith-based corporations intended to help teenagers, adults, and families with problems such as substance abuse. The programs are designed to be age appropriate, aligned with the Australian curriculum and delivered across year groups. Whilst the programs delivered to the students address this misinformation, the core message to our students from the #NotEvenOnce® Project is ‘saying no’ to drugs and alcohol is not only valid and reasonable but is also the best response for teenagers. Programs like the #NotEvenOnce Project are making a difference. The National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2016 reported that rates of abstinence from alcohol have increased from 72% in 2013 to 82% in 2016. Furthermore, the average age of 14-24 year olds drinking for the first time has increased from 15.7 years in 2013 to 16.1 years in 2016. Students participating in the #NotEvenOnce seminars are asked to complete pre- and post-seminar surveys. These surveys consist of questions that examine students’ intentions to use drugs and alcohol before and after attending the seminar, and their knowledge related to the drugs and alcohol.
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The Advocate - Arndell Anglican College · The Year 7/8 White team of Bradley Campbell, Zoe Regan, Hannah Wood and Ruby Gorton fought hard in their elimination round unfortunately
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The Advocate
The official newsletter of Arndell Anglican College
#NotEvenOnce® Drug Prevention Project
The use of alcohol and other drugs has been
identified as a significant problem for young people
both globally and within our local area.
The human brain is not fully developed until between the ages of 25 and 28.
Not only do young people become intoxicated faster than adults they also
won’t necessarily show signs of it until it’s too late. Furthermore adolescents
are 5-6 times more likely to become addicted to Alcohol and other Drugs than
an adult would taking up use.
The evidence is clear that until the brain is fully developed no consumption of
alcohol or drugs is safe. Yet the National Drug Strategy Household Survey
2016 reported that 10% of young people aged 12-17 indicate that they are
drinking alcohol at least monthly. Similarly, in regards to illicit drugs, while the
rates of use by young people have decreased over time, approximately 10%
of 14-19 year olds have used cannabis in the last 12 months; 3% have tried
ecstasy, and 1% have tried cocaine and methamphetamines.
In light of these concerns Windsor RSL, supported by Hawkesbury Council
and the Windsor Local Area Command, funded the delivery of the
‘#NotEvenOnce® Drug Prevention Project’ across high schools in the
Hawkesbury region of New South Wales. Because of this financial support
over the last three years Arndell Anglican College has had the privilege of
hosting representatives from Teen Challenge as they have delivered elements
of their ‘#NotEvenOnce® Drug Prevention Project’.
Teen Challenge is an international network of Christian faith-based
corporations intended to help teenagers, adults, and families with problems
such as substance abuse. The programs are designed to be age appropriate,
aligned with the Australian curriculum and delivered across year groups.
Whilst the programs delivered to the students address this misinformation, the
core message to our students from the #NotEvenOnce® Project is ‘saying no’
to drugs and alcohol is not only valid and reasonable but is also the best
response for teenagers.
Programs like the #NotEvenOnce Project are making a difference. The
National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2016 reported that rates of
abstinence from alcohol have increased from 72% in 2013 to 82% in 2016.
Furthermore, the average age of 14-24 year olds drinking for the first time has
increased from 15.7 years in 2013 to 16.1 years in 2016.
Students participating in the #NotEvenOnce seminars are asked to complete
pre- and post-seminar surveys. These surveys consist of questions that
examine students’ intentions to use drugs and alcohol before and after
attending the seminar, and their knowledge related to the drugs and alcohol.
#NotEvenOnce® Drug Prevention Project continued ….
This data, analysed by Western Sydney University, demonstrates a significant improvement in student knowledge about
drugs and alcohol along with a significant decrease in the likelihood that students will choose to use drugs and alcohol.
If you would like further information regarding drug and alcohol use amongst teenagers the following sites are helpful: