The Department of Education, in conjunction with the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority, has developed the alcohol and other drugs (AOD) education program. External experts within the alcohol and other drugs education field were consulted during the developmental process to provide research and best-practice educational approaches.
The AOD education program uses a harm-minimisation approach to support young Queenslanders to develop a greater awareness and understanding of the impacts of alcohol and other drug use; their capacity to make responsible, safe and informed decisions; and their ability to effectively manage challenging situations.
The program is informed by the department's drug education and intervention advice and supports the Learning and Wellbeing Framework.
Alcohol and other drugs as part of health and wellbeing education
Queensland state schools are required to provide health and wellbeing education, either as part of the delivery of the Australian Curriculum and a whole school approach to learning and wellbeing. The P–12 curriculum, assessment and reporting framework specifies the curriculum, assessment and reporting requirements for all Queensland state schools.
The AOD years 7 to 10 education programs are aligned to the Australian Curriculum: Health and Physical Education focus area of alcohol and other drugs and can be delivered through this learning area or as part of the school's wellbeing program.
Specialised resources for schools and teachers include program guidelines, teaching overviews and resources for each band of years.
The teaching resources are available online to state schools via Curriculum Gateway (department staff can search OnePortal for 'Curriculum Gateway') and for non-state schools via Scootle.
What students learn
The AOD education program is based on the principle of harm minimisation. Research indicates that messages designed to minimise the harm associated with the use of alcohol and other drugs are beneficial. Harm minimisation is a preventative approach to alcohol and other drugs education that encourages non-use, reduces risks associated with use and promotes healthier, alternative behaviours.
There are 3 aspects of harm minimisation:
- Reducing demand: This includes prevention and delayed onset of the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs; the reduction of drug use in the community; and support for people recovering from dependence and reconnecting with the community.
- Reducing harm: This involves strategies and actions that primarily reduce the adverse health, social and economic consequences of drug use to community safety, families and individuals.
- Reducing supply: This refers to reducing, by all ways possible, the supply of illegal drugs within the community.
The AOD education program is intended to contribute to the first 2 aspects, while the third aspect will be attended to by other parts of the community.