Alcohol and Drugs & Consent

Alcohol is the most widely used recreational drug in Australia

90% of the population aged 14 years has drunk alcohol at some time during their life.

The majority of young people are now much more likely to drink spirits, such as vodka or premixed spirits (RTDs or Alcopops), than beer or wine-based drinks. Alcohol and drugs

Students are now coming into contact with spirits at a much earlier age than before. Many are unaware of the risks associated with their use. Spirits have a much higher alcohol content than beer and wine and unfortunately come with greater dangers.

Alcohol is often believed to be a stimulant

This is because drinking a small amount may initially reduce tension or inhibitions. This makes people feel more relaxed or excited. But alcohol is actually a depressant drug that:

Slows down the central nervous system
Inhibits many of the brains’ functions
Affects almost all the body’s cells and systems
Slows down a person’s reflexes
Makes judgement, coordination and balance more difficult.

Young people’s brains continue to develop until the age of 25

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Studies show that marijuana affects attention, memory and the ability to learn. Its effects can last for days or weeks after the drug has worn off. Students who smoke marijuana tend to get lower grades and are more likely to drop out of high school. One recent marijuana study showed that heavy marijuana use in your teen years and continued into adulthood can reduce your IQ by up to as much as 8 points.

Did you know that nearly one-third of school dropouts decide to leave school because their use of alcohol or other drugs is an important factor?

Conclusion

Basically, high school students that smoke, drink alcohol, binge drink or use marijuana or other drugs are more likely to:

- - Drop out of school than and non-users
  - Graduate from high school
  - Attend college or university or obtain a degree.

Adolescents need help and support to overcome the temptations that may fall into their path.

Our tools, strategies and activities

This workshop introduces students to the risks and effects of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs. It also focuses on refusal strategies and the concept of consent.

We give students the tools and strategies to help them make informed and safe decisions.

Workshop activities include multi-media presentations, short films, group discussions and work, role playing, games and other activities. We also discuss First Aid and what to do when things go wrong. The students wear fatal vision range googles to show them what their environment is like under the influence of alcohol (see image).

We can also organise for a motivational speaker to come and speak to the students.

At workshop conclusion, students should be more empowered to

- - Understand alcohol and drug use and abuse
  - Understand the effects and consequences they can have on the body, family and social environment
  - Focus on the importance of making informed decisions. We teach them the harm minimisation approach
  - Understand the concept of consent and assertive responses to deny consent
  - Have the tools and confidence to use refusal strategies and say no