Drug education
Strengthening drug education in school communities: best practice handbook for design, delivery and evaluation Years 7-13 2004
As part of the Government’s Action Plan on Alcohol and Illicit Drugs, the Ministry of Youth Development (MYD) was directed in 2002 to identify and to encourage evidence-based best practice for drug education. The drug education initiative was led and co-ordinated by MYD in consultation with the Ministries of Education, Health and Justice and the Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand (ALAC).
The purposes of the handbook are:
- to improve the effectiveness of the curriculumbased approach to drug education
- to complement Drug Education: A Guide for Principals and Boards of Trustees (drug education guidelines) published by the Ministry of Education
- to encourage best practice principles in the design, delivery and evaluation of schoolbased drug education
- to provide guidelines on how to plan and evaluate drug education over time to ensure it is consistent with best practice
- to provide schools with a checklist to guide their decisions about using drug education offered by external providers.
Strengthening drug education in school communities: a practical guide for years 7-13 2004
Effective drug education: implements the following 16 principles of best practice in the design, delivery and evaluation of school-based drug education, and enhances young people’s skills, knowledge and attitudes to prevent and to reduce drug-related harm.
Effective drug education for young people: literature review and analysis 2003
The Ministry of Youth Affairs (Youth Affairs) is leading and coordinating a review to identify and encourage best practice in alcohol and drug education. This review is being undertaken in consultation with the Ministries of Education, Health and Justice, and the Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand (ALAC). The purpose of the review is to contribute to the following outcomes:
- reduced alcohol and drug use, particularly by young people
- increased understanding about what constitutes effective drug education
- increased uptake of effective drug education by schools and communities
- increased understanding about drugs and their economic and social costs
- identification of gaps in service delivery and research.
