National Drug and Alcohol Awards

Celebrating Australian achievements to prevent
and reduce alcohol and other drug use and harm

Principal Sponsor

Major Sponsors

Supporter

Collaborating organisations

Kingston School ‘finalist’ in National Award for Excellence in Drug Education

Narrabundah College in Kingston is a finalist in the Excellence in School Drug Education section of the National Drug and Alcohol Awards.

Narrabundah College has established a successful Peer Health Education Program improving the physical and mental health of their students and the wider community. Thirty-five Year 12 students have been trained about drug and alcohol issues, including a two day Lifeline communication skills program, mental health, alcohol and party-safe training and a health resources workshop. Demonstrating their commitment to the program, Peer Educators have proudly worn T–shirts designed for the group with the logo “Ask me” across them, so that the student body can easily identify them as Peer Educators.

Narrabundah College has constantly reappraised its practice in response to both formal and informal evidence collected about drug and alcohol education in the school. The current Peer Education model of health delivery has clear educational outcomes. Peer Educators are supported and promote positive health messages of safety and support for their peers throughout the whole school community. Teachers have also experienced professional development in these areas.

The National Drug and Alcohol Awards are a collaborative effort of the Ted Noffs Foundation, the Australian Drug Foundation, the Alcohol and Other Drugs Council of Australia and the Australian National Council on Drugs. They aim to support and encourage people working to prevent drug problems in Australia. It is estimated around 10,000 Australians now work directly in drug and alcohol treatment across Australia, with a further 8,500 in associated sectors. Winners will be announced in Sydney on Friday 22 June 2007at a gala dinner to be held at the Four Seasons Hotel.

“Every day of the week I see the ravages of drug and alcohol abuse on good Australians and their families. As a nation we lose about $1.2 billion and 7.5 million working days due to the effects of alcohol abuse alone. The emotional cost of drug and alcohol abuse to families includes domestic violence, suicide, depression, plus health issues such as brain, liver and heart damage. To meet the devastation brought on by drug and alcohol abuse are thousands of dedicated professionals, researchers, organisations and volunteers doing work that is world leading throughout all States of Australia. These Awards go some little way to recognizing the fantastic, innovative work they do with such passion and conviction. We applaud them,” says Wesley Noffs, Chair of the NDAA 2007 Awards.

Sponsors of the awards are the Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Foundation (Principal sponsor), the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing (major sponsor); Australian Government Department of Education, Science and Training (major sponsor) and NSW Health — ActNow (supporter)

“It is a great privilege to support the national alcohol and other drugs sector in celebrating the achievements of their unsung heroes, said Daryl Smeaton, CEO of the AER Foundation. As the major sponsor of these awards, AER congratulates all the winners, finalists and nominees.”

To interview the finalist please contact Charlotte George or Johanna de Wever on 03 9278 8122 or 0432 915 383. For more information about the National Drug & Alcohol Awards go to http://www.drugawards.org.au/