By PETER DOUGLAS
SIX students from Emerald Secondary College are winning high praise over an anti-drugs campaign being developed for their peers.
The group, who call themselves Teens Against Drugs and Alcohol (TADA), on Friday 3 May met with Acting Premier James Merlino and Gembrook MP, Brad Battin, to discuss their plans to make a difference.
Specifically, their development is of a pilot program for students run by students, which will also seek the support of professional youth support programs.
Student Tyler Denboer told the members of parliament they wanted to help their peers make better choices.
“Some of the ideas include our ‘stop and think’ campaign, creating posters … our intention is to inform them,” he said.
“Much research tells us it’s not enough to tell them ‘just say no to drugs’, they need to be informed so they can make the right decision.”
The group is also planning a student and community survey, as well as developing a parent information evening, complete with booths from Headspace and Beyondblue.
The group members all agreed the present drugs education in school was not effective enough.
Principal Julie Doble said the project was entirely student driven, with the students able to choose topics they believed were of great importance.
Both Mr Merlino and Mr Battin praised the students’ efforts, saying it was often difficult for parents to engage children on this subject.
“One of the biggest issues we have with young people who are involved in drugs … is parents didn’t engage,” Mr Battin said.
“All parents love their kids, but engagement can be difficult.
“The success rate is so much better when we have full family engagement.”
Mr Merlino agreed, observing that student-led campaigns are an invaluable resource for parents.
The group’s pilot program is due for completion at the end of this year.
