The following principles are based on a set of Principles devised by the University of Canberra in a document called Drug Education in Schools in 1994, which have been revised by the Commonwealth under the auspices of the National School Drug Education Strategy, 2004.

1. Base drug education on sound theory and current research and use evaluation to inform decisions.
2. Embed drug education within a comprehensive whole school approach to promoting health and wellbeing.
3. Establish drug education outcomes that are appropriate to the school context and contribute to the overall goal of minimising drug-related harm.
4. Promote a safe, supportive and inclusive school environment as part of seeking to prevent or reduce drug-related harm.
5. Promote collaborative relationships between students, staff, families and the broader community in the planning and implementation of school drug education.
6. Provide culturally appropriate, targeted and responsive drug education that addresses local needs, values and priorities.
7. Acknowledge that a range of risk and protective factors impact on health and education outcomes, and influence choices about drug use.
8. Use consistent policy and practice to inform and manage responses to drug-related incidents and risks.
9. Locate programs within a curriculum framework, thus providing timely, developmentally appropriate and ongoing drug education.
10. Ensure that teachers are resourced and supported in their central role in delivering drug education programs.
11. Use student-centred, interactive strategies to develop students’ knowledge, skills, attitudes and values.
12. Provide accurate information and meaningful learning activities that dispel myths about drug use and focus on real life contexts and challenges.

2004 Commonwealth of Australia. This work is copyright.

For a complete copy of the Principles for school drug education go to www.redi.gov.au or email drugeducationprogramme@dest.gov.au