Drug education in primary schools - information for parents
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Why have drug education in primary schools?
Children learn about drugs like medicines, alcohol and tobacco from their families and the community in which they live. They learn how their parents, brothers and sisters, friends and relatives treat these drugs by watching what they do and listening to what they say. Young children also learn about drugs from television programs and magazines that they see in their own homes in the homes of relatives and friends.
School drug education programs aim to give children accurate information about drugs and drug use. Students learn safety messages about medicines and develop the skills that they need to stay safe around drugs such as tobacco and alcohol.
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What is a drug?
Drugs are found everywhere in today's society. Doctors prescribe them, hotels and tobacconists sell them and illegal drugs can be bought on the streets. Drugs can change how the mind and body works. Legal drugs include alcohol, tobacco, caffeine and medicines. Illegal drugs include marijuana, heroin, ecstasy and cocaine. Some other chemicals like petrol and glue can be inhaled by children. Although they are not drugs, they can act like drugs and do great harm.
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What is taught in primary school drug education?
Drug education is taught as part of the Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) learning area. Drug education may also be included in English, Human Society and Its Environment and Science and Technology.
In Kindergarten and Years 1 and 2 students learn:
- about medicines and the need to use them properly under the supervision of an adult
- that medicines and poisons must be stored out of reach of children
- how to contact emergency services if there is an accident in the home.
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In Years 3 and 4 students learn:
- about legal drugs — how they affect the body and how they can be helpful and harmful
- examine in detail the variety of medicines that might be found in the home and responsible use
- examine the effects of tobacco on the body and ways to avoid passive smoking.
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In Years 5 and 6 students:
- consolidate and extend the learning programs of Years 1 to 4
- learn about the effects of alcohol on the body
- discuss both legal and illegal drugs, including the fact that there are often restrictions on legal drugs that make their sale or use illegal. For example, it is illegal to sell alcohol and cigarettes to people under the age of 18.
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How do parents and the community know what is being taught?
Although all children need education about drugs, each school community may have different needs in relation to drug education. It is important that teachers, parents, students and others in the local community talk about what is appropriate in drug education programs and discuss any controversial issues.
Schools have rules about managing drug-related incidents and about the administration and storage of prescribed medicines. Parents need to know what these rules are.
Parents, as the primary educators of their children, play an important role in educating their children about drug use. Parents need to talk honestly about drug issues with their children and to listen carefully to what their children say to them. Parents are invited to discuss with the school any concerns that arise, possibly for incorporation into the school's drug education program.
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Where can you get more information on drugs?
Websites
The following suggested websites provide information such as facts about drugs, information for parents and links to other websites.
NSW Department of Education and Training
http://www.det.nsw.edu.au
Information to assist parents and students in
government schools.
The NSW Office of Drug Policy
http://www.druginfo.nsw.gov.au
Information on drugs, programs and NSW Government initiatives. There are also links to a range of local and international sites.
NSW Health
http://www.ceida.net.au
Information on health education campaigns and promotions, and resources for the general community.
The National School Drug Education Strategy (NSW)
http://www.nsdes.nsw.edu.au
Information on NSW drug education school initiatives, policy, community and other special projects, research and reference material and a noticeboard of current and future events.
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Contacts and support
If parents have concerns about drugs and drug use they can contact:
- the principal or counsellor at the school
- the local community health centre
- Alcohol and Drug Information Service
Telephone: (02) 9331 2111 or
Toll Free: 1800 422 599
- Aboriginal Medical Service. Ask the Aboriginal
education assistant at your child's school for details
- Aboriginal Legal Service: (02) 9318 2122 advice
on legal representation for Indigenous people
- Drug and Alcohol Multicultural Education
Centre (DAMEC)
Fax: (02) 9699 3131
- Legal Aid Hotline: 1800 101 810 advice on legal rights for under 18s.
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For information in languages other than English
contact:
- Translating and Interpreting Service
Telephone: 13 14 50
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