THE STATE Government will spend $2.9m over three years in a bid to deliver alcohol and drug education in South Australian schools.
The funding will be used by Encounter Youth, Life Education SA and The Sammy D Foundation to provide evidence based, health living and substance abuse prevention programs.
This represents a new investment by the Marshall Liberal Government of $2.2m, with $705,000 for the Sammy D Foundation having been granted in February 2018.
Schools can choose to use any drug education program to complement the curriculum.
Non-government schools are also able to access the funded programs.
High schools will be able to access the SAPOL-delivered comprehensive alcohol and drug prevention sessions.
Education Minister John Gardner said the package was a significant investment into preventing the scourge of drugs in schools.
“We know illicit substances can interrupt learning, impair development and result in social, emotional, financial and health problems that continue into adulthood,” he said.
“Partnering with Encounter Youth and Life Education SA, as well as the Sammy D Foundation, enhances the existing curriculum and gives schools a range of specialist education programs from which to choose depending on their local circumstances.
“Such programs are already operating effectively through the efforts of these organisations and local community groups in a number of schools.
“The government’s new investment, in line with our election commitment, enables these NGOs to build their capacity as well ensuring the important programs can be made available to all schools in South Australia.”
