FADE - Foundation for Alcohol and Drug Education | Drugs and Alcohol touch people's lives in so many ways.

Imagine your child as young as 7 being exposed to drugs in the playground of their school during school time. Recently there has been an outcry for drug education in schools as more students are being influenced to use drugs and they are also becoming younger, the youngest child to be stood down for drug related behaviour was year 3 (aged 7-8) and there two students in year 5 (8-9) suspended for being caught with drugs. These statistics are alarming for every young family in New Zealand as it could possibly be their child at risk.

What does this mean for New Zealand’s youth? Are our schools safe? When will drugs become too cool for school? Palmerston North schools are cracking down hard on drugs in schools and statistics have been released that Feilding High recorded 27 suspensions, Boys’ High recorded 23, and Awatapu 22 all for drug related behaviour. The real question posing in many parents and teachers heads is when will this be nation-wide? Last year it was recorded that 2173 schools kids were caught with drugs in school, however on the positive side this was the lowest figure it had been in three years. The vast majority of drug busts in schools are primarily for cannabis, whether the school children are selling it or consuming it…. cannabis is the leading drug in New Zealand. It could be that New Zealand youth need more education on the harms of cannabis, Marijuana is the third biggest drug (behind alcohol and cigarettes and nearly 2 million kiwis have tried it. New Zealand has the highest teenage cannabis use rate in the world, how is this something to be proud? Especially how we are meant to be the cleanest country in the world.

Now, you’re probably wondering where students are obtaining these illicit drugs from?

PARENTS?

Is it possible that parents are providing our youth with illegal substances? I mean, where else would they be getting them from. If it’s not parents then it is a family member, do we need to educate families on the harms of drugs?

MEDIA?

Is the promotion of drug use on television too harmful to our youth’s eyes, does Shortland Street need to tone it down on the drug use? Does the portrayal of drug use on our television screens promote it as cool? We may need to reconsider the rating system on New Zealand television.

NZ GOVERNMENT?

Does our government not care enough to provide compulsory drug education within schools? New Zealanders are among the highest users of illegal drugs in the world, and top the list for cannabis use, according to the United Nations 2012 Drug Report.

Where do you stand concerning drugs in schools? Do you believe it is a problem in New Zealand? How can we as a nation resolve the drug epidemic that surrounds our New Zealand youth?

If you require any more information about drug use within schools please visit: www.fade.org.nz

According to the latest statistics drugs in schools is on a rise, trading a tinny instead of lunches or teenagers getting plastered in the weekend with no recollection as they report it back to their friends on a Monday morning. Do you want your child to end up like this? Even if you haven’t got children, what about the nieces, nephews, your work mates kids – our youth is being exposed to the pressures of drug and alcohol abuse without knowing the real long term implications that these substances can have on their young bodies, minds and souls. FADE has come up with a solution that could help influence those areas which are affected the most with drugs in schools.

The Bake Sale

FADE has recently visited several schools in the Wellington area and have successfully run a bake sale simply labelled “Don’t get baked, bake.” This bake sale was fun way of including the students who are at high-risks of drug use and teaching them simple and enjoyable facts not only about drugs but also about cooking, cleaning and general house chores. “It distracts your child and some students took the opportunity to get extra creative, we will definitely hold another one next year” – Principle of Bishop Viard, Wellington

The bake sale has allowed under privileged students in the Porirua area to get involved in this school activity. The students made everything from cupcakes to brownies, scones and chocolate cake. FADE was particularly impressed with what the students made and how creative they were. “It was like New Zealand’s hottest homebaker” – Student, Aroha (17)

By trading the blunt for some baking, FADE has tested the “Don’t get baked, Bake” event on several underprivileged schools in the greater Wellington Region and it has been a proven success amongst the community, parents, teachers and of course the students.

FADE is here to help educate your children, your students about the harms of drugs and alcohol. The approach of schools balls is nearing so why not act now, as there is a high risk that many students will be consuming drugs and alcohol at these balls. You as a parent, teacher, aunty, uncle need to put a stop to this now and visit FADE’s websites http://www.fade.org.nz for further information.