STATE GOVT LAUNCHES POLICY TO CURB STUDENT DRUG ABUSE

THE Western Australian Government yesterday launched a policy guide
for schools aimed at reducing drug abuse among young people.

The strategy is part of the government's School Drug Education
Project, a drug education curriculum which targets both students and
parents.

The Minister Responsible for WA Drug Abuse Strategy, Rhonda Parker,
said today the policy guidelines emphasised harm reduction and
opposition to drug abuse.

"The intervention procedures are designed to address alcohol, tobacco
and other drug-related problems to ensure the health and well being of
our young people," Mrs Parker said.

"National surveys indicate that some 16 per cent of Western
Australians over the age of 14 would have used cannabis in the last 12
months, a figure that is in the middle of the national range from 12
to 21 per cent.

"More than 24 per cent of WA secondary students smoked marijuana in
the last month, 16 per cent in the last week and while use declines
rapidly with age, some 13 per cent of 25 to 44-year-olds smoked in the
last month and 21 per cent in the last year.

"Cannabis is a harmful drug and a fresh and concerted effort is
required to prevent and reduce its use.

"Use of other illicit substances is lower but still of concern, with
almost six per cent of males and 4.5 per cent of females using
amphetamines.

"Solvent abuse is also a problem, particularly for young people in
some of our remote regions."

The School Drug Policy Guide has the support of the WA Catholic
Education Office as well as the Association of Independent Schools and
the WA Education Department.

Checked-by: "Rich O'Grady"