School Drug Education Project

The School Drug Education Project (SDEP) was developed to implement the recommendations of the report of the WA Task Force on Drug Abuse (1995).

The SDEP is funded by the Drug and Alcohol Office as part of the current Western Australian Drug Strategy. The Project is a joint initiative of the Association of Independent Schools of WA (AISWA), the WA Catholic Education Office (CEO) and the WA Department of Education and Training (DET).

The SDEP, launched in April 1997, modelled a comprehensive approach in the planning and implementation of drug education interventions in Western Australian schools. This approach was reflected in the strategies outlined in the Project’s strategic plan and included:

• drug education professional development and ongoing support for teachers in all schools
• the development of new drug education curriculum materials to support K-12 drug education within the context of a health promoting school framework
• the provision of drug education information for parents
• support for the development of school drug policies and guidelines for a whole-school approach to K-12 drug/health education and management of drug issues for all schools
• support for parent and community participation in the development and implementation of drug education programs, policies and protocols.

The SDEP was based upon the Health Promoting Schools Framework. The model used a comprehensive approach to school health education which is widely acknowledged as best practice in promoting student health and in responding to health issues of concern for students. The model provided an ideal conceptual framework within which to develop effective drug education and intervention activities for students.

In 2003, a strategic alignment was made with the newly formed Road Aware Program to become School Drug Education and Roagd Aware (SDERA).

For further information about the School Drug Education Project contact School Drug Education and Road Aware on 9264 4743, 9264 5267 or sdera.co@det.wa.edu.au.