Drink Safe Communiy Initiative

How will project reduce youth binge drinking

The project will reduce youth binge drinking by educating young people, increasing community awareness about the harmful effects of alcohol, and promote community roles and responsibilities in relation to youth binge drinking.
Provide young people with the knowledge to make informed choices in relation to alcohol and levels of intoxication, and increase the social acceptance among young people of choosing to drink responsibly.

Main goal to be addressed

Our main goal is to reduce youth binge drinking and develop a model for a ‘Drink Safe Community’ initiative.

Description of the project model, its content, activities and method of delivery

The project will consist of several separate drug and alcohol programs. These are:

2 day community event:

This program will demonstrate the serious physical, social and emotional effects of binge drinking. The event will include workshops and program presentations by professional guest speakers (Local, State and National), displays, community service information and activities over a 2 day period, open to all communities in Far West NSW. The 2 day event will also utilise existing community programs and resources within the community and this initiative.

The two day event will target the wider community, with a focus on young people aged 12 to 25. Parents and the people who most influence or make decisions for young people will also be targeted through seminars and information.

Y ear 11 and Year 9 Drug and Alcohol forums:

Full day education forums will be delivered to year 9 and year 11 students from Broken Hill, Menindee and Wilcannia. A high profile guest speaker will present information about responsible alcohol choices and consequences, and resilience building skills.

Save a Mate:

A harm minimisation program for young people. The focus is on alcohol and drug use and their effects. It builds important knowledge and skills to look after each other.

Save a Mate will require community members to be trained in the program for its delivery. The proposed employed worker will recruit new trainers and coordinate their training.

Aboriginal Focused Programs:

A collaborative approach from services with an indigenous focus will ensure culturally appropriate programs. Including:

Crime prevention and ongoing workshops (such as health and wellbeing, healing, self esteem and assertiveness training).
Elders, youth, women’s business and men’s business projects
Camps at various locations.

Schoolies Party Safe Packs:

Schoolies Party Safe Packs is a previously piloted program (2007) delivered locally to all Year 12 graduates (Schoolies) consisting of a variety of harm minimisation resources.
The Party Safe Pack is a back pack containing information and resources that help reduce the risks associated with end of year activities (Schoolies week). Is it well known that end of year High School leavers celebrate usually by participating in high risk activities. These activities may include consuming large quantities of alcohol (binge drinking), attending parties where drugs are available and drink spiking can occur, travelling long distances with friends in cars, over exposure to our harsh climate and unsafe sex practices (STI)

Safe Party Packs (MYNITE)

My nite party safe packs: For young people who register upcoming parties on the MYNITE police website. These consist of resources to assist in conducting a safe party eg. Water, wristbands etc.

Good Sports Program: A program designed to encourage sporting clubs adopt responsible alcohol management practices in their clubs.

National Drug Action Week: Support a national campaign to raise awareness about alcohol and other drugs (AOD) issues in Far West NSW and coordinate activities that promote awareness of alcohol and other drugs.

Community Drink Safe Display Kits and community boards:

Portable interactive kit including an electronic message board, an interactive touch screen display and banners. The portable kit will continuously visit local services, youth hot spots and major community events & celebrations.

Community display/information boards: Permanent information stands containing alcohol information, services and relevant help lines. These boards will also be used to promote local Drug and Alcohol free events. Located in schools, CBD and frequently visited youth services.

2 permanent large billboards located on town entry highways, promoting the ‘Drink Safe Community’ initiative.

These resources will have a variety of information about alcohol and its associated health risks, social and economic impacts, safe levels of drinking and alcohol related service information.

Schoolies Week Events: 3 alcohol regulated music events between November 2008 - November 2010 aimed at Year 12 students (Schoolies) organised by young people.

Outback Indent Team Events: 2 x Drug and Alcohol free events (Battle of the Bands 2009/10) managed by a team of young people, promoting ‘Drink Safe Community’ messages targeting 12-25yrs in Far West NSW region including areas in the Central West NSW.

Brain Spectrum Program ‘making a good brain great’: An education program for teachers, schools and parents showing the harmful effects of alcohol and drug use on the brain. The program gives students knowledge that will enable them to expand the potential of their own brains, learn about science behind the brain, and come face to face with how their decisions now will influence who they become.

Designated Driver program: A program working with licensed venues to provide free / discounted non-alcoholic drinks to patrons who identify themselves as designated drivers.

Social marketing

Two year community Social Marketing program with local media including Southern Cross Television (Regional coverage), Hype FM, ABC (Regional & State coverage), Hill FM, 2BH, Community Radio 2DRYFM and local print media.
Local television, posters, brochures and radio advertising will be developed promoting responsible drinking, targeting youth, high risk groups (such as Aboriginal population) and the whole community in consultation with young people and youth leadership groups. In-kind support has been offered for this program.

Safe passage program

The 'Safe Passage Program' is a DVD based program that unlocks the power of the parent/carer. The program brings together key ‘parenting-in-the-drug’ and ‘alcohol-age’ concepts, which complement the invaluable Safe Passage DVD facilitated workshops. The dynamic program has proven to be an invaluable resource for families. The 'Safe Passage Program' contains 8 sessions with each session running approximately 30mins. The 'Safe Passage Program' creates confident parents/carers, capable of guiding young people around the influences of today’s toxic culture.

Taxi cards

Safety strategy to decrease drink driving and risk taking behaviour of walking alone. A program will be set up with local Taxi companies to supply ‘Taxi Credit Vouchers’ to youth to ensure that their rides home are previously arranged. Parents will be able to put various amounts of credit on the card.