|
MDECC continues its commitment to
research and evaluation activities. The "Cannabis
Check-up" study for young people and parents conducted
by the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC)
is being hosted by MDECC.
MDECC regularly conducts Drugs and
Community Action Forums. The forums identify local
issues and needs, and assist to develop recommendations
for projects to be implemented in specific communities.
MDECC has developed credibility as
an agency providing innovative community drug action
initiatives, particularly in terms of peer education
models. MDECC has received numerous requests for information,
training, and consultancy regarding community development.
Workshops and training have been conducted by MDECC
for various Community Drug Action Teams in other areas.
MDECC has been contracted as part
of a consortium including the Centre for Harm Reduction
(McFarlane Burnett) and the National Drug and Alcohol
Research Centre (NDARC) to conduct Drug Information
Short Courses in Indonesia. These courses have undergone
rigorous evaluation. MDECC has also hosted international
visitors from Indonesia and Vietnam as part of their
study tours.
The Cannabis Quiz is a training package
designed to raise awareness and promote discussion
about the health, social and psychological consequences
of cannabis use. The quiz can be administered in many
ways, depending on the target group. It includes a
questionnaire, a card game, which can be used with
low literacy clients. The answer book included provides
the trainer with the most up-to-date research and
information available. Suitable for school based education,
service providers such as youth, drug & alcohol and
juvenile justice workers, police and those working
in a community setting. To order a package download
the purchase order form.
MDECC provides in-services to schools,
youth, drug & alcohol and juvenile justice workers,
police and those working in a community setting. The
quiz takes approx 1 hour to conduct, 10 minutes to
fill out the quiz and at least 45 minutes to discuss
the answers to the questions. Promotes discussion
around myths and facts about cannabis.
Discover how to disseminate the Cannabis
Quiz to your target group. Two hour workshops are
provided to all service providers such as youth, drug
& alcohol and juvenile justice workers, teachers,
school counsellors, youth workers, police, health
professionals and those working in a community setting.
Workshops are free, however purchase of the Quiz is
encouraged.
It’s time to address tobacco use within a health promotion framework!
The Tobacco Quiz has its genesis in the recognition that little work has occurred in bringing the myths, misconceptions and facts of Tobacco Smoking to the younger population in a manner that is accessible and also enjoyable.
The Tobacco Quiz is an innovative training tool designed to educate people about the health, social and psychological harms associated with the use of tobacco. The Tobacco Quiz is suitable for people who are smoking tobacco or who are experimenting.
The Tobacco Quiz is a resource for train the trainer programs and is a suitable training tool for secondary schools, youth services and health services in country and regional areas. It discusses myths and facts. The self contained Tobacco Quiz pack contains a card game, detailed information and answer booklet. The quiz provides the trainer with evidence based research.
MDECC operates several peer education programs to reduce drug-related harm amongst individuals, families and the local community. We utilise peer education as an approach because:
-
It is more cost effective than other methods
- Peers are a credible source of information
- It is empowering for those involved
- Peer educators act as good role models
- Peers are successful in passing on information because people identify with their peers
- It can be used to educate those who are hard to reach
- Peers reinforce learning through ongoing contact
DSP “Survivor Challenge” is a peer education program which has an innovative edge – utilising a reality TV concept which is particularly relevant to the target group. This idea builds an analogy between fun, at risk behaviours and experimentation with drugs and/or alcohol.
DSP offers young people aged 15 – 19 years an opportunity to grow, build confidence and self empowerment in order to make informed choices when dealing with decisions regarding drug and alcohol use.
Visual and interactive educational sessions are run in addition to sessions regarding sexual health, mental health, CPR training/Overdose. High-risk outdoor activities are also incorporated into the program which builds the analogy between drug use and risk-taking behaviours. Peer educators attend youth events to pass on credible and up to date knowledge to dispel myths and misconceptions about drug use and misuse to their peers.
Do-It-Yourself Guides to Peer Education
have been developed for programs with young people
and parents. The demand for these guidelines is high
with requests from various organisations such as Community
Drug Action Teams (Premiers Department), Church Groups,
Drug and Alcohol Agencies, Youth Agencies etc. To
order a copy download the purchase order form.
Trimming the Grass is a four session
cannabis intervention program targeting young people.
The aim of the program is to help people consider
the level of their cannabis use and to develop strategies
to help them to cut down or quit. It incorporates
education, intervention and treatment strategies.
The Parents Prepared Program is a peer education project that provides parents with up to date information about alcohol and other drugs, and the appropriate skills to communicate about these issues with young people, their families and others in the community. The knowledge and skills gained can be applied to many areas of life.
The program also addresses some of the myths and misinformation about drugs and drug use. Informative and interactive sessions cover such topics as how drugs work, why people use drugs, drug use and adolescence, talking to your teenager about drugs. Parents also receive a comprehensive resource folder and are encouraged to share information learnt at the program with their friends and local communities.
The program is run regularly over two Saturdays or four weekday evenings.
A Parents Prepared Network is being established as well as an interactive web link to facilitate information sharing and provide opportunities for networking and discussion.
IMPAKT (Intervention, Minimisation, Parents and Kids Together) is a collaborative initiative of the NSW Police Northern Beaches Local Area Command (LAC) to address underage drinking and the associated risks and harms to individuals and the community. Partners now include Manly, Warringah and Pittwater Councils, Northern Beaches and Manly Police LACs and MDECC.
Young people who have committed an offence under the Liquor Act or Registered Clubs Act are issued with a notice to attend an IMPAKT education session with a parent or guardian. This session is designed to increase awareness of young people and parents around the health, legal and safety risks associated with underage drinking and supply of alcohol, as well as appropriate entertainment and transport options.
IMPDjabaan Marrung (pronounced ya-barn marr-ung) is a peer education project especially designed for Indigenous young people. Djabaan Marrung means “strong and deadly”, and this is what the project aims to do- encourage the young people involved to become strong and deadly leaders of their community.
Djabaan Marrung peers throughout the project are trained with up to date, factual drug and alcohol and sexual health information in a culturally appropriate, fun and interactive way. Throughout the training there is much opportunity for cultural learning including music, story telling, and visits to sacred sites taught by leaders of their community.
Once trained, Djabaan Marrung peers are encouraged to go back in to their communities and share their new drug and alcohol knowledge with friends, family and peers, and dispel many of the myths and misconceptions around drugs and drug use.
In order to share the drug and alcohol feel are important to their community, Djabaan Marrung peers have also created a series of contemporary and traditional paintings.
KIS takes drug education out to Sydney’s clubs and events, like local youth events and the Big Day Out, and targets the 18-25 year old demographic of club drug users with credible, reliable information and harm prevention messages.
In 2005, fifteen young people from the clubbing community were trained with the most current drug information including related sexual and mental health issues. Evaluation of the first year of KIS has shown that over 2000 people were reached at events and informally by peers talking with their friends, family and colleagues.
The project is supported by a unique website www.kis.org.au created with the 15 KIS peers, that covers real experiences and harm prevention tips for each club drug.
To find out more or to purchase the Evaluation Report contact: Project Coordinator Kristina Devlin at Kristina@mdecc.org.au
MDECC has been involved in the development and implementation of the DrinkCheck program in conjunction with Manly Council. The project involves community educators, together with a member of the NSW Police to carry out alcohol education by visiting clubs and pubs. The focus of this education project was on the safer use of alcohol with the police focusing on blood alcohol concentration and drink driving. A health risk factor questionnaire (AUDIT) was administered and information regarding safe, hazardous and harmful drinking levels was given to participants in pubs and clubs.
The Northern Sydney Area Drug and Alcohol Service has successfully secured funding to develop a Licensing Accord in the Manly Davidson Police Command. MDECC has been identified as a key player in this project and will be participating on the working party along with Manly Council, Northern Sydney Health, police, and local hoteliers to progress the accord.
Run by MDECC, the program aims to provide support, education and strategies when dealing with a family member’s drug use.
The six-week program looks to find new ways to handle crisis situations when a family member is using drugs. The program allows family members to be with others who are in similar situations.
Alcohol and other drug problems affect not only those using these substances, but also family members. The negative impact substance misuse may have upon families can become overwhelming and stressful as families intend to resolve the varied problems that can arise as a direct consequence of the substance user’s behaviour. Parents, partners and other family members can become tired and anxious when dealing with a family member’s substance use and the challenging behaviour that often accompanies this.
Family members who face these challenging circumstances can benefit from support and coping strategies for themselves. When family members seek assistance, this can impact on the relationship with the substance user and help to bring about a change for them as well.
|
