The aim of this e-newsletter is to provide our subscribers with information about new research findings and drug prevention resources, and to share relevant news, conferences and events.
Please help us spread the word by forwarding this newsletter to other teachers in your networks, and encourage them to subscribe at www.positivechoices.org.au.
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With the end of another school year approaching (how did it go so fast?!), this issue will focus on resources for lesson planning for next year.
We are also pleased to highlight:
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Upcoming Webinar: Substance Use and Mental Health Among Rural Youth
Tuesday 13th November, 3.30pm AEDT
Presented by: Dr Georgina Luscombe, Dr Hazel Dalton & Ms Nicole Snowdon
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In this webinar, Dr Hazel Dalton from the Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health, Dr Georgina Luscombe from the School of Rural Health at the University of Sydney, and Ms Nicole Snowdon from Lives Lived Well, will present research on substance use and mental health among rural young people, and discuss potential solutions to help support rural youth and reduce the risk of harms.
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This webinar is for school staff, health professionals, parents and other who are seeking information about drug use and related harms among rural youth.
Around one-third of young Australians live in rural and remote communities. Research suggests use of alcohol, tobacco and illegal drug use in addition to co-occurring mental health issues and suicidality are higher among these young people compared to those living in big cities, and that rural youth are at greater risk of harms related to substance use.
In order to reduce these risks, we must consider the unique challenges faced by rural and regional youth. This webinar will present research on substance use and mental health among rural young people, and discuss potential solutions to help support rural youth and reduce the risk of harms.
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What time in my state?
NSW/ACT/VIC/TAS: 3.30pm
SA: 3pm
QLD: 2.30pm
NT: 2pm
WA: 12.30pm
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Parties, gatherings and sleepovers: How can parents keep their teens safe?
Available on demand
Presented by Mr Paul Dillon
In this webinar, Paul Dillon (Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia) examines what we know about school-based young people and alcohol use and its use at parties. It provides practical strategies and simple tips for parents considering allowing their teen to attend such events to help ensure they are as safe as possible.
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If you missed this popular webinar you can view the recording on demand.
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With the end of another school year approaching, it's time to think about what programs or resources you want to use in your classroom next year. Luckily, Positive Choices is here to help.
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As a first step, browse through our Recommended Programs. To be included in our list of Recommended Programs, the benefits of the program must be demonstrated in at least one published study. This means that if you choose to implement one of our Recommended Programs you can trust that what you deliver to your students is effective in reducing alcohol and/or drug use or related harms.
One of our recommended programs with the strongest evidence of producing benefits for students is the Climate Schools program. Climate Schools is a curriculum-based online program, featuring an engaging cartoon-based drama. There are four modules: Alcohol, Alcohol & Cannabis, Psychostimulant & Cannabis, and Ecstasy & Emerging Drugs.
Now is an excellent time to talk to decision-makers in your school about implementing the program, as Climate Schools have announced an early bird discount for 2019!
If you register before the end of 2018 you will receive 50% off your subscription!
Discounted prices are shown in the table below!
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To register your school for a Climate Schools account, please click here and follow the prompts. If you are already a registered user and would like to renew your subscription, please head to the billing section of the website. If you have any question or concerns, please email the Climate Schools team.
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Don't forget to use our search filter to find items that link to the Australian Curriculum. This can help you in your lesson planning, to make sure your lessons are meeting the requirements of the curriculum.
You can also use the search filters to find resources on a specific drug type, year level and amount of time to allocate to a resource.
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Something you'd like to see on Positive Choices that isn't there? We welcome ideas for new content, so send us an email at info@positivechoices.org.au, and we'll look into it.
Happy lesson planning for 2019!
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Preventure is a school-based intervention aimed at reducing adolescent drug and alcohol use in high-risk teenagers.
Students with high-risk personality profiles as identified by a screening questionnaire are invited to participate in two 90-minute group workshops. The workshops focus on motivating adolescents to understand how their personality style leads to certain emotional and behavioural reactions.
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Published studies evaluating the program have found the following benefits:
- Reduced alcohol consumption
- Delayed initiation of alcohol use and binge-drinking
- Reduced likelihood of initiating illegal drug use
- Reduced frequency of illegal drug use.
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In order to implement the Preventure program, it is necessary to attend a 2-day training workshop. Workshops are scheduled for early 2019 in Sydney, however we are currently seeking expressions of interest from organisations to host a facilitator training workshop outside of Sydney (but in Australia).
Your organisation would need to provide:
- a venue for the 2-day training (this could be a space within your office, or externally hired)
- at least 14 trainees (we may be able to help promote to reach required numbers, depending on location)
Cost: $750 per person. This is the standard registration fee for the 2-day facilitator training workshop.
Preventure Australia would cover:
- the cost of travel and accommodation for our trainers to come to your area and deliver the training workshop
- facilitator manuals for each trainee.
If you are interested in hosting the training, please submit an expression of interest at the below button.
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For more information about the Preventure program, please click here.
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Check out these new resources on Positive Choices.
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Student Factsheet
Let’s yarn about helping a friend or family member who has a drug problem Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
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Don't miss our weekly drug facts on social media! Every Friday we release a new infographic in our #drugfactfriday series on Facebook and Twitter. Follow us now to get these fun facts in your newsfeed.
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Listen to the Positive Choices team present, or catch up with us at our booth, at these upcoming events.
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