| Community forums - an interactive forum based on key issues of local community concern: 'Vaping, what you need to know'; Talking to your kids about drugs Contact the RAG-AP representatives for Oceania:
Jo Baxter at: [email protected] or Herschel Baker at: [email protected] |
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World Federation Against Drugs |
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Drug Free Australia is a proud member of the World Federation Against Drugs (WFAD), with Executive Director, Jo Baxter, holding a Special Advisory position. Board of WFAD - World Federation Against Drugs WFAD is a multilateral community of non-governmental organisations and individuals. The members of WFAD share a common concern that illicit drug use is undercutting traditional values and threatening the existence of stable families, communities, and government institutions throughout the world.
Currently we are represented at the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs being held in Vienna.
WFAD adheres to Article 33 of the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child that states:
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States Parties shall take all appropriate measures, including legislative, administrative, social and educational measures, to protect children from the illicit use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances as defined in the relevant international treaties, and to prevent the use of children in the illicit production and trafficking of such substances.
September 1990 |
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WFAD also offers Webinars: i.e. |
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WHAT DO 4 KEY PREVENTION AGENCIES SAY ABOUT VAPING?
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Drug Free Australia has ensured that politicians, health workers and the community at large have been kept informed of such research via direct correspondence to politicians, article in the monthly e bulletin lobbying the TGA. The DFA - Save Your Brain website also includes a comprehensive Vaping Prevention Module for Years 7 and 8 at: 7 & 8 Module Six | Save Your Brain
However, we are still concerned that even now, legislation has not gone far enough.
To quote an article in ‘News Weekly’ entitled ‘Vaping Dangers that May Leave You Breathless’, by Dr Murad Ibrahim
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‘The government has done quite well in raising awareness of the dangers of tobacco but now it is time to deal with the vaping issue more strictly. Vaping is a very topical issue at the moment. Both the Australian Medical Association and the Heart Foundation are requesting action to enforce stricter regulations around nicotine vaping products (NVPs). Also, the Therapeutic Goods Administration has proposed that these reforms include changes to border controls for nicotine vaping products premarket assessment by the TGA, and strengthening of the product standards regarding minimum quality and safety for NVPs. These organisations are also asking for clarification of the safety standards of NVPs and their status as “therapeutic goods” |
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Dr Ibrahim presented a webinar hosted by DACA and is a respiratory specialist and Medical Director, Knox Private Hospital, Melbourne. |
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The Drug Advisory Council of Australia (DACA) offers more on this matter.
The risks of vaping for kids are real, and it is vitally important for parents, teachers and carers to begin addressing these issues before their children decide to try these products. Upper primary school is a good time to start. DACA has worked hard as a partner to Drug Free Australia, to ensure that accurate information is available for this purpose. Here is an example of what they recommend for parents: - Educate yourself first. Get the facts on these products so you know what you’re talking about when you approach the discussion with your kids.
- Be a role model. Parents are responsible for shaping many of their children’s ideas and behaviours, so set the tone with your own actions.
- Establish a safe environment where your kids can talk about their feelings and opinions without feeling judged.
- Really listen and let them tell you what they know. It can sometimes be helpful to give them something to read that you can then discuss together.
- Help them figure out ways to handle situations where they may be pressured to engage in these behaviours.
- Create a plan, even specific things for them to say like, “I have asthma and my doctor says I could become very ill if I try this,” or, “I just don’t think it looks cool.”
- Help them understand that using willpower to stand up to peers is hard. But willpower is like a muscle — the more you use it, the stronger it gets.
For more, go to: Vaping - Explained - Drug Advisory Council of Australia (drugadvisorycouncilaustralia.org.au) |
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CANNABIS BLACK MARKET IN THE UNITED STATES – A MAN-MADE ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH DISASTER
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Legalising cannabis is proving difficult to manage in the United States. The tax dollars are not forthcoming and it’s a man-made environmental and public health disaster, according to our contacts there. Here is the latest report from AALM
The failure of legalization to kill the black market plagues other early adopter states such as Oregon and Washington. The legalization of marijuana has trifurcated the drug's market. We now have a poorly regulated legal market, a loop whole jumping grey market, and a now impossible-to-stop black market. |
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Legalization has not lived up to a single campaign promise. The black market is larger, pot sales tax revenue is anaemic, and police are busier than ever focusing on marijuana regulation. The experiment has failed. It's time to admit it. - Scott Chipman, VP of AALM
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This is a manmade environmental and public health disaster. It is time to reverse course. - Carla Lowe, President of AALM |
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Drug Free Australia’s question:
- Is Australia heading for the same?
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Further reading – How legal weed became riddled with corruption: News — AALM |
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ROTARY’S NEW ACTION GROUP – ADDICTION PREVENTION
You can be part of the solution |
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What is Rotary Action Group – Addiction Prevention (RAG-AP)?
- Rotary clubs, in partnership with local communities are, and reduce drug addiction
- RAG-AP helps to form links with Rotary clubs and community groups such as schools, sporting clubs and agencies to provide resources to keep communities healthier and safer.
What are examples of resources?
(a) ‘Save Your Brain’ - an online, drug prevention teaching and learning resource, with aga-appropriate modules. Includes an introductory session for school staff with ongoing mentoring opportunities for teachers/school counsellors.
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(b) Invited Speakers - Presentations to school assemblies and/or year level groups – often from people who have a story to tell about their personal challenges of overcoming addiction. Their books can be placed in school libraries free of charge. |
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(c) Parent / Community forums - an interactive forum based on key issues of local community concern: - 'Vaping, what you need to know'
- Talking to your kids about drugs
- The developing Teen Brain and impacts of alcohol and drugs
- How to get help, if your kids are experimenting with drugs.
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Want to know more about RAG-AP |
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DRUG PREVENTION EDUCATION
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OPTIONS FOR SCHOOLS IN 2023 |
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Free - Online, age-appropriate drug prevention for schools for Years 5-12
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YOUTH ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS SIDE EFFECT Teen Drug Prevention & Effects | Sideffect
Sideffect was born out of that understanding, that our youth need to be educated on substance use and be empowered to make informed decisions, with the help of parents, teachers, and their community.
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Books available on the website: |
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATION |
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