Drug Education Program Reaches 200,000 Students
For 20 years, Encounter Youth has been supporting South Australian high school students with effective, preventative alcohol & other drug education.
Today Encounter Youth celebrates a significant milestone in this program, having educated over 200,000 students in the program’s history.
Encounter Youth Acting Chief Executive Officer, Jess Morris said that strong partnerships with schools, a commitment to effective practice and real-world experience supporting vulnerable young people are central to the program’s success.
“We know the strategies we share with students in our alcohol & other drug education program are effective because they are used by Encounter Youth Green Team volunteers to support young people in vulnerable situations on Hindley Street and at the Victor Harbor ‘schoolies’ celebrations.
“We have now partnered with schools across South Australia to support 200,000 students with research-based strategies to look after themselves, look after their mates, and make positive choices about how they choose to celebrate.”
In the past three years, support from the State Government has fueled expansion of the program, increasing support for existing schools and reaching many regional and disadvantaged schools for the first time.
Minister for Education John Gardner said he’s pleased to support Encounter Youth to deliver this important program.
“The Marshall Liberal Government is serious about preventing the devastating impact that drugs can have on the lives of young people and their families,” said Minister Gardner.
“We know illicit drugs can disrupt learning, impair development and have severe and long-lasting effects.
“I’d like to congratulate Encounter Youth on achieving this significant milestone delivering preventative drug and alcohol education to more than 200,000 South Australian students.”
Marryatville High School has a long history of partnering with Encounter Youth in providing alcohol & other drug education to their students and Janelle Morrissey, the school’s Director of Wellbeing, said the program provides great outcomes for the school’s students.
“We use Encounter Youth at every year level of our Student Life Program. Our students respond positively to their knowledgeable and engaging presenters who deliver age-appropriate material.”
“Knowing that Encounter Youth are at Schoolies each year provides us with a great deal of confidence that our Year 12 students will be able to celebrate finishing school safely and we couldn’t recommend them more highly.”
For schools or communities looking to find out more about Encounter Youth’s alcohol & other drug education program, please contact Encounter Youth on 08 8179 0300 or email education@encounter youth.com.au.
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