1. Drugs and Young People Tracey Coleman Drug Education Consultant Illawarra and South East Region

2. Workshop Aims Why do young people use drugs? Prevalence and patterns of drug use among young people Consider how enhancing resilience is part of a whole school approach to drug education, health and wellbeing.

3. Reasons young people use drugs To experiment To have fun To heighten sensations To rebel To relax To relieve boredom To fit in with peers To cope with problems Because they are available.

4. Prevalence of drug use among young people 12 – 17 years Table 3: Australian Secondary Students’ Alcohol and Drugs (ASSAD) Survey 2005 Students aged 12-17 years Substance Percentage reporting ever used Percentage reporting use in the last 4 weeks MalesFemalesMalesFemales Analgesics/pain-killers93.296.463.076.4 Alcohol86.085.045.042.0 Tobacco35.0 12.013.0 Cannabis19.416.18.75.6 Inhalants17.417.07.67.4 Tranquillisers (non-medical use)14.815.53.8 Amphetamines (non-medical use)6.04.73.01.8 Hallucinogens4.32.12.00.7 Ecstasy4.43.32.31.1 Opiates2.72.21.50.6 Cocaine3.52.32.00.7 Steroids3.41.81.60.7

5. Comparison of drug use patterns among young people 12-17 yrs 1996 - 2005

6. Non drug use in last 4 weeks – males and females 2005

7. The school’s role in preventing drug use problems Drug prevention involves more than just teaching about drugs as part of curriculum. Promoting resilience can help protect young people from developing a variety of problems likely to negatively impact on their future health and wellbeing (e.g. drugs, bullying, violence and mental health problems).

8. The overall message from prevention research is that schools can prevent the onset, severity and duration of problematic substance use, bullying, violence and mental health problems by undertaking a process of developing a culture that promotes resilience. (Fuller 2001)

10. Resilience is ….. ….. The capacity to “bounce back from adversity”. ( Wolin & Wolin 1999 ) Being resilient involves “the inherent and nurtured capacity of individuals to deal with life stressors in ways that enable them to lead healthy and fulfilling lives”. ( Howard & Johnson 1999 )

11. Being resilient Personal attributes/skills: healthy relationships – socially competent creative, flexible, solves problems independent and sense of self-efficacy and mastery positive, sense of purpose, humour. Environmental supports: bonds, support from family, friends, work, local community belonging to group/social club/sport/hobby etc access to help services. (Benard 1995, Wolin & Wolin 1999)

12. Risk and protective factors A number of studies indicate that it is possible to identify those factors that increase the risk of substance use problems and those factors that help protect and buffer young people against likely harm.

13. Protective Factors CommunitySchoolsFamilyIndividual Opportunities & rewards for involvement Links between services in community Belonging Supportive relationship with other adult Opportunities for success Recognition of achievement Sense of belonging Links / partnerships with community services Safe & supportive environment Clear rules about behaviours Positive relationships Skilled & informed staff Pro-social peer groups Opportunities & rewards for involvement Attachment / belonging Supportive caring parents Responsibility for chores / required helpfulness Social skills School achievement Attachment to family Optimism Problem solving ability Effective coping skills

14. Risk Factors CommunitySchoolsFamilyIndividual Community disorganisation Racism Laws and services favourable to drug use Low neighbourhood attachment Boredom Perceived availability of drugs in community Low commitment to school Rewards for anti- social involvement Boredom Experiencing racism Bullying Inadequate behaviour management Poor academic results Parental attitude favourable to anti- social behaviour Parental attitudes favourable towards drug use Poor family management Parents smoke cannabis at home Poor discipline Unemployment Family conflict Involvement in crime Early initiation of problem behaviour Drug use Friends / peers use of drugs Involvement in crime Rewards for antisocial behaviour Feeling of not belonging Poor social skills Lack of empathy

15. Risk and Protective Factors Examine the scenario of Corey Complete with a partner -the table of risk and protective factors -enhancing the protective factors -reducing the risk factors