Secondary School Program

‘Face the Facts’ is a secondary school drug education program which uses a harm minimisation approach to assist schools in implementing their drug education policy and initiatives which promote student well-being and connectedness. The program offers Alcohol, Tobacco and Illicit Drugs modules, each with their own set of specific educational outcomes.

The program is guided by the Principles for School Drug Education 2004 (www.redi.gov.au) whereby it promotes a supportive climate and relationships. It is targeted to schools’ contexts and priorities, utilises effective pedagogy and ensures all curriculum content is evidence-based. The design of classroom sessions in Face the Facts reflects the ‘engaging curriculum’ model which meets individual student needs, relies on interactive, student centred activities and aims to build student engagement and connectedness to healthy life outcomes.

Schools represent diverse populations due to differences in geographic locations, socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds and values held by their local communities and families.

In response to this, rather than a ‘one size fits all’ resource, the program:

• has been developed as a modular resource which aims to meet individual school needs
• offers choices at both the topic and educational outcome levels
• aims to facilitate a whole school integrated approach to drug education by including both family education and community links modules.

The program aims to:

• engage students in their learning about health and drug issues
• promote student acquisition of knowledge to support informed health choices
• heighten student understanding of the implications of drug use
• ensure students recognise the values and attitudes that may influence lifestyle choices and behaviour
• develop in students the skills and strategies necessary to minimise drug-related harms at both the personal and community levels
• increase family communication
• develop in students a sense of connectedness to school, family and community
• improve family management of drug-related issues.
• facilitate access to other community health and drug (education) services.

Schools are asked to create their own program by choosing specific educational outcomes to meet the needs of their students. The program includes a Teacher’s Manual with pre and post visit classroom materials and a comprehensive drug information section for teachers.

A choice of family forums 'FACE' - Family And Community Education all of which focus on family communication through student involvement, is available to schools as an integral component of Face the Facts. Optional community linked sessions enable schools to easily access other community agencies that promote pro-health messages which directly contribute to effective drug education.