MEDIA RELEASE
26 June 2022
KID’S AND MENTAL HEALTH
NEW WEBSITE LAUNCH
‘Save Your Brain’ (SYB)
Drug Prevention resource for schools
Years 5-12
Drug Free Australia (DFA)will be launching a new website for to support the mental health and wellbeing of children and youth. The launch coincides with the United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking – 26 June 2022.
As DFA’s Executive Director, Jo Baxter explains: “Last year Drug Free Australia introduced the Save Your Brain (SYB) resource for Middle School students. The overwhelming response from schools, drug educators and especially, parents, was that there is a need for this to expand from Years 5 to 12 students”.
‘The rationale? – The aim is to change the culture that ‘drug use is normal’. The reliance of a drug policy that only minimises harms’ is letting our kids down. In particular, the young, developing teen brain is highly vulnerable to alcohol and drugs. Research now shows that the damage done by drug use in these early years is directly linked to increased mental health issues, school dropout and youth suicide. They need to know that drug use is PREVENTABLE. That’s why Save Your Brain, should start with younger pre-teens and continue right through to Years 11 and 12. Australia has done well with health literacy campaigns such as ‘Sun Smart’ and Quit Tobacco smoking – so why not harmful illicit drugs?’
‘The resource is online for use in schools and by parents and grand parents. It offers interactive opportunities for schools to share knowledge, research and strategies that enable resilience, and importantly, strategies for kids to refuse unwanted social requests – such as, for example, vaping.’
Kerryn Redpath, who is DFA’s drug and alcohol educator said: ‘The resource is continually being updated, with feedback being welcomed by all who use it. Drug Free Australia wants community input to ensure all information remains completely relevant and age appropriate’.
Media contact: Jo Baxter or Kerryn Redpath: 0403334002
Website: www.saveyourbrain.com.au
ATTACHMENT:
The Inspiration for SYB?
The inspiration for this concept came directly from research conducted by the Institute of Behavior and Health which showed that teen drug use IS preventable and can also prevent adult addiction.
THE STORIES BEHIND ‘SAVE YOUR BRAIN’
Drug Free Australia has listened to schools, parents and especially to people who have suffered addiction. We also heard the plea from parents whose teen had died from drug use (many WHO EXPERIMENTED FOR THE FIRST TIME) – because they just did not have enough preventive information.
There are too many such stories: here are just a few:
• Anna’s Story:
Anna Wood was only 15 years old when she went to a party, took an ecstasy tablet and died from the consequences. The Australian Medical Association launched the “Anna Wood Drug and Alcohol Education Project”. This book, supported by Anna’s family and friends, endorses the AMA initiative. Anna’s Story: Donaghy, Bronwyn: 9780207191848: Books (amazon.com)
‘Golden Haze’- Jade Lewis: At 15 Jade had the world at her feet. She was a medal-winning, aspiring young athlete with Olympic dreams. She had ambition, a loving family and countless friends. At 16 Jade decided to go to a rave party not knowing this would change her life and take her down the destructive path of the drug scene.
Kerryn’s lived experience: In a brutally honest account Kerryn Redpath describes the terrifying scenes she witnessed as what began as “a bit of fun” spiraled into a shocking journey through the dark world of drug addiction. Chilling stories of drug overdoses, precious lives lost, drug and alcohol fuelled fights, months spent gravely ill in hospital, at one point being given less than two hours to live, will have the reader gripped to every page….This is a compelling story that takes the reader through one person’s journey from the depths of despair to the realms of hope and is hard to put down until the final page is read.
“This is a story that should be read by all – young and old, parents, teenagers and current or past addicts of all persuasions.” – Associate Professor Peter Ryan
Youth Suicide – and the relationship with drugs
This book helps to answer the most crucial questions asked surrounding youth suicide – why do so many young people resort to suicide, and what can family and friends do to avert tragedy? It also contains discussions with health professionals and information on where to go for help in a crisis. It discloses the major impact marijuana/cannabis use in the teens has played in youth suicide and points to the fact that most young people who died, had used marijuana.
Take a look Home | Save Your Brain; On 26 June, all modules will be online, ready for Term 2 planning in schools.