Prevention and education

There are a variety of strategies that can be used to prevent the use of illicit drugs and educate people about the potential harms of using them. These strategies include:

• build community knowledge of drug-related harms
• provide community-level organisations and clubs with prevention programs
• deliver early intervention programs for at-risk youth in schools
• develop and promote culturally appropriate resources about illicit drugs for individuals, families and communities and professionals
• who have contact with at-risk people
• engage communities and stakeholders in the development of prevention programs [33425].

There are health promotion and education programs run in schools and communities which focus on tackling illicit drug use, such as the  Positive Choices: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander resources program. This evidence-based program provides up-to-date information about drug use (including alcohol and tobacco) for parents, teachers and students. Resources on the website have been designed with a focus on education and prevention of harms.

A strong connection with family and community can help to protect young people from illicit drug use. Increasing the opportunities for young people to learn about culture, encouraging them to go to school and yarning with them about the harms of substance use can reduce the chance they will use them [23503].