This cannabis education kit consists of a video, a parent information booklet and a guide for educators. The guide contains 24 activities for the middle years of secondary schooling and is divided into five sections: introduction, knowledge-gathering, help-seeking, video and web-based. Activities may be used for a one-off session or for a comprehensive unit on cannabis education and have been designed to promote multiple intelligence teaching methods. Activities encourage students to further their knowledge of cannabis issues, to identify the risks and harms of cannabis use and to develop skills in problem-solving, seeking help and decision-making.
Download Cannabis and consequences 
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Download the parent brochure/information booklet (88.2 KB)
A series of eight specialist papers that identify successful approaches to drug education as well as areas for improvement. They are designed to inform leaders in the field of school drug education about the range of practices, views and approaches directing the way forward for school drug education in Australia. They offer strategic direction and assist teachers by focussing on techniques that students are most responsive to, allowing teachers to take a best practice approach.
The eight monographs are:
Over 90 schools participated in this research project which involved reviewing, analysing and document their drug education methods to determine what works best in the classroom. In addition to the monographs, a separate report shares the project results and provides insight into a range of issues that impact on successful drug education. Student wellbeing, community support and school curriculum were among the issues explored. One of the main findings was that student safety, engagement, connectedness, self-worth and resilience are the most vital elements of successful drug education
2001 to 2002-03
This document specifies priorities for preventing the use of and minimising the harm associated with illicit drugs. 7 key strategy areas are addressed. These are demand reduction, supply reduction, treatment, reducing drug-related harms, workforce development, research and monitoring illicit drug trends. Each of these strategy areas has objectives outlined, and key action areas charted. A background paper contains information about the prevalence of illicit drug use in Australia, the risks of drug-related harm and background information to each of the strategy areas.
National action plan on illicit drugs
2006 to 2009
The National Alcohol Strategy 2006-2009 was developed as a response to the patterns of high risk alcohol consumption that are prevalent in Australia. Each year approximately 3,000 people die as a result of excessive alcohol consumption and around 65,000 people are hospitalised. With the annual cost to the Australian community of alcohol-related social problems estimated to be $7.6 billion.
The Strategy was endorsed by the Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy (MCDS) in May 2006 and was developed through collaboration between Australian governments, non-government and industry partners and the broader community. It outlines priority areas for coordinated action to develop drinking cultures that support a reduction in alcohol-related harm in Australia
National Alcohol Strategy 2006 - 2009
A strategy to reduce the harm caused by drugs in our community - 1998-99 to 2002-03
This document presents a framework for reducing the harm caused by drugs in Australia. It recommends an integrated, cooperative approach by all government levels, business, industry, research institutions, local communities and individuals. The mission and objectives of the framework are listed, as are the priority areas of increasing the community's understanding, building partnerships, links with other strategies, supply reduction, preventing use and harm, access to treatment, professional education and training, and research and data development. It provides an overview of the extent of drug use in Australia, with statistics taken from the 1998 National Drug Strategy Household Survey. It also addresses factors underlying drug use, and gives indicators of drug-related harm, such as illness and injury, economic costs, violence and crime, and relationships.
National Drug Strategic Framework
2000 to 2003
Provides a framework to guide interaction between the health and education sectors in order to promote health gains for children and young Australians. Describes what is a health-promoting school and how such a school can contribute to health and learning outcomes, presents guiding principles of helath-promoting schools, and finally a framework to support health-promoting schools.
Download National framework for health promoting schools (207.0 KB)
The National Framework aims to help school communities develop ways of managing drug-related incidents on a nationally consistent basis. It outlines the context and rationale for the Framework and lists guiding principles for responding to drug-related incidents. It also lists key elements and components for preventive drug education, and for intervening appropriately to drug-related incidents. Intervention elements include appropriate school policies and action plans, liason and referral with other agencies, and support for students. A glossary is included.
National framework for protocols for managing the possession, use and/or distribution of illicit and other unsanctioned drugs in schools
This document contains information on the background and development of the National School Drug Education Strategy. It lists the objectives, outcomes and performance indicators for the strategy, as well as the implementation and reporting requirements. The goal of the strategy is "no illicit drugs in schools", and objectives include the development of safe school environments, the promotion and development of school drug education policies, curriculum and resources, to enhance the professional practice of teachers, to involve parents about drug related issues, to provide strategies for particular regions or target groups, and to maintain and strengthen the role of research. Selection criteria for funding proposals are included in the appendices.
Download the National school drug education strategy
1999 to 2002-03, endorsed by the Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy (MCDS)
The goal of the National Tobacco Strategy is to improve the health of all Australians by reducing their exposure to all forms of tobacco. This document outlines 6 key strategy areas that address this goal. These are to strengthen community action for tobacco control, to promote the cessation of tobacco use, to reduce the availability and supply of tobacco, to reduce tobacco promotion, to regulate tobacco and to reduce exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. Each of these strategy areas has further objectives outlined, and actions and outputs charted. A background paper contains information about smoking prevalence in Australia, government involvement in tobacco in the 1990s, and background and rationales for the National Strategy. The appendices also contain a chart of Commonwealth, state and territory demand reduction strategies, education activities and supply reduction strategies. The summary document outlines the goal, objectives, key strategy areas and actions of the National Strategy in a flowchart format.
National tobacco strategy: a framework for action
The Commonwealth Government in its efforts to reduce the harm caused by drugs in our society is helping schools address drug education issues in a local community context. Resource materials have been developed to assist schools as part as the ‘Tough on Drugs’ initiative. This booklet is a key element of the kit Local School – Community Drug Summits Support Materials. The booklet is divided into 4 sections: getting started and getting people involved, designing and implementing Local Summits, activities and ideas for Local Summits, and additional resources. Each section provides information as well as sample models or activities where appropriate.
Download Practical partnerships: local school-community drug summit support materials
This document provides a framework of core concepts and values to support effective drug education practice within schools. The twelve principles are organised around four key interconnecting themes for effective school drug education: comprehensive and evidence-based practice; positive school climate and relationships; targeted to needs and context; and effective pedagogy. They are intended to convey the essence of what is currently understood as effective school practice, without prescribing a specific set of actions or procedures within a school.
Principles for school drug education