A social enterprise providing education and information to protect and enhance the mental health of young people
43% teenagers drink to get drunk 66% teenagers think it is OK to get drunk occasionally 50% teenagers drink to relax* What should parents say to their teenagers who want to drink before they turn 18 years old? Research would suggest that their response should be a resounding “not yet”. Rather than the very popular [...]
3 out of 10 people in their 30s and 40s who previously tried ecstasy have used it in the past year. The arrest of Matthew Chesher, husband of Education Minister Verity Firth, has caused uproar in the NSW Labour party. Mrs Firth said “My husband has admitted to making a very big mistake. I am [...]
If you suspect that someone you know or love is taking drugs then there are some signs and symptoms to look out for. There are many reasons why people get involved with drugs; many will need professional help in order to overcome their addiction. Here are some tips on what to look for and where [...]
Paul Dillon, author of Teenagers, Alcohol and Drugs and Generation Next speaker has some practical advice for parents and teenagers on the nature of Schoolies Week. Over the years I have attended a number of Schoolies Week celebrations and although there have always been incidents, usually linked to excessive alcohol consumption, for the most part [...]
95% of NSW pubs sell energy drinks on tap It is rare that the NSW Government and Opposition agree to tackle an issue together. However both parties agree that selling energy drinks ‘on tap’ in pubs is not in the interests of public health and safety. When mixed with alcohol, energy drinks can lead to anti-social [...]
In 2009 the federal government increased taxes on alcopops, this coupled with increased alcohol prices has seen the emergence of a new trend by young people; drugs over alcohol. Nightclubs and other licensed premises have also put up alcohol prices as they pass on increased liquor and music licensing fees to their customers. Many of [...]
Mass Media (television, radio, print and online) reports about illicit drugs do have an impact on teenagers. However, most young people are more concerned with the damage drugs cause to their health and mental wellbeing rather than the legal implications of drug use. This is the findings of a new Australian study Media Reporting on [...]
When it comes to drinking and taking drugs many young people face both social and peer pressures. Their friends might encourage them to drink at parties while social pressures come in many forms. Social pressures can include advertising, seeing the lifestyles of celebrities, or being at a party and seeing people who are drinking or [...]
90% of teenagers have tried alcohol by 15 years of age 20% of teenagers regularly drink at harmful levels A new DVD Your Shout will shortly be introduced into schools around Australia as a teaching aid to help staff discuss the impact drinking has on young people. The DVD features teenagers talking about their experiences [...]
Nearly 4 million people nationwide watched the Ben Cousins documentary Such is Life – The troubled times of Ben Cousins. The program detailed his public life as a footballer while leading the secret life of a drug addict. This duplicitous lifestyle finally came to an end when he was arrested in Perth in 2007. Paul [...]
