Professional Learning

Teacher professional learning information is available from the eCentre for Teachers (DoE Staff only)

Drug Education Forums 2004-05 to 2007-08

Overview

Funding of $6 million is available over the period 2004-05 to 2007-08 to enable all Australian schools to conduct a Drug Education Forum (forum).

Background

The Australian Government has provided $29.7 million to support values education in Australian schools over the period 2004-05 to 2007-08. This initiative will help make values a core part of Australian schooling and includes funding of $6 million for drug education forums in every school in Australia to inform students about drugs drawing on a peer participation approach.

A funding proposal submitted by the DoE, Tasmania, on behalf of the 3 education sectors has been agreed and will support employment of a part-time project officer who will assist schools to implement drug education forums the duration of the funding period. State and Territory education authorities were invited to submit a proposal for the forums in the form of a Project Plan for the period March 2005 to June 2008.

1.1 The Initiative

The forums will provide drug education through the use of peer participation. Key themes are likely to include awareness raising, building resilience, effects and harms of drugs, risk and protective factors, current issues facing young people, accessing help, and creating safe environments.

While peer participation is an important focus of the forums, it is expected that the forums will involve parents and others in the local school community in further developing young people's attitudes, knowledge and values in relation to drug issues.

The forums will draw on the use of students or young people who are seen as role models by their peers and teachers and who have similar characteristics to a target group including age, gender and cultural background. Peers may participate in forums in a variety of ways eg facilitating discussions, participating in conversation groups and assisting in managing quiz nights.

1.2 Support Materials

The Australian Government will provide supporting materials to assist schools to plan and conduct forums; provide guidance on appropriate forum models; assist in the identification and training of peers; and provide content and activities that are age appropriate, relevant and credible and which have a strong evidence base.

1.3 Objective

The objective of the forums is to increase student's knowledge and skills and to foster values and attitudes in relation to drug related issues through participation in drug education forums.

1.4 Funding

The Australian Government is providing a total of $6 million for the Drug Education Forums over the period 2004-05 to 2007-08. Funding of $200,000 has been set aside for the development, printing and dissemination of supporting materials in 2004-05, with the remaining funds allocated to States and Territory jurisdictions. Tasmania has received $133,000 with similar amounts being provided each year of the funding period to the end of 2008.