Acting State Director Carmen Acosta said better programs and delivered at a younger age could help the small number of children vulnerable to such drugs in primary school. It would have the more widespread benefit of fortifying students against peer pressure in high school.
Ms Acosta said young people were growing up faster but drug education in primary school appeared ad hoc and in some cases absent or ineffective.
Some children relied on inaccurate information from the internet.
"There is most certainly evidence to show children are dabbling as young as 10," she said.
"The biggest risk time is the first year of high school. We need to fortify them with appropriate information before that."
Ms Acosta said the impact of cannabis and alcohol should not be underestimated. About 80 per cent of people using Mission Australia counselling and rehabilitation had cannabis and alcohol problems.
This compared with only 30 per cent in 1999.
Heroin and amphetamines were bigger problems back then, accounting for half their clients, she said.
"Violence fuelled by alcohol and binge drinking is extremely concerning among young people," Ms Acosta said.
"We are seeing many more young people coming to us concerned about their alcohol use than we have ever seen previously."
Ms Acosta said most children would never have problems with drugs and alcohol but would benefit from getting accurate and age-appropriate information in primary school.
Story originally published in The West Australian on 15 August 2011
No comments:
Post a Comment