Drugs in Schools
Act now before it's too late!
After the recent news of the very young teenagers (13 and 14 year olds) in Queensland overdosing on amphetamines at school - there has never been a more urgent call to deal with the situation of drugs within schools across Australia.
Development Manager of the Ted Noffs Foundation Matt Noffs says "There simply isn't enough intervention when it comes to assisting young people who have drug issues and we are under-prepared for the future of drug use increasing- not only in our community -like this recent case - but within the schools themselves."
To combat this issue, the Ted Noffs Foundation operates a Drug Counseling Program specifically for Secondary schools in the East and West regions of Sydney, Central Coast of NSW and Newcastle. This is unique in Australia as the only school counseling program specifically for young people encountering drug and alcohol issues.
The program has proven overwhelming successful with:
Over 50% of the young people we see completely stop using drugs
Over 78% of the young people use less drugs in less harmful ways
Over 96% have a better understanding of the situation they are in
The program has also led to decreased crime in the communities it has operated in and increase social cohesion.
Noffs says ""With a success rate like this and with the support of the education department- it is puzzling why programs such as ours, are not funded nationally."
"The problem is going to grow out of proportion unless we act now - there is no greater epidemic facing our community right now than drugs - it is affecting the future of the country - and it will involve every one us."
26-year-old Matt Noffs is the Development Manager at the Ted Noffs Foundation (TNF). He has created various drug programs nationally and worked with the Police and the NSW Premier's department in decreasing under age drinking and drug abuse. He is also the grandson of Ted Noffs. Peter Garret said of him "I write to recommend the outstanding work conducted by Matt Noffs. This uniquely Australian non-profit program provides support for young people."
After the recent news of the very young teenagers (13 and 14 year olds) in Queensland overdosing on amphetamines at school - there has never been a more urgent call to deal with the situation of drugs within schools across Australia.
Development Manager of the Ted Noffs Foundation Matt Noffs says "There simply isn't enough intervention when it comes to assisting young people who have drug issues and we are under-prepared for the future of drug use increasing- not only in our community -like this recent case - but within the schools themselves."
To combat this issue, the Ted Noffs Foundation operates a Drug Counseling Program specifically for Secondary schools in the East and West regions of Sydney, Central Coast of NSW and Newcastle. This is unique in Australia as the only school counseling program specifically for young people encountering drug and alcohol issues.
The program has proven overwhelming successful with:
Over 50% of the young people we see completely stop using drugs
Over 78% of the young people use less drugs in less harmful ways
Over 96% have a better understanding of the situation they are in
The program has also led to decreased crime in the communities it has operated in and increase social cohesion.
Noffs says ""With a success rate like this and with the support of the education department- it is puzzling why programs such as ours, are not funded nationally."
"The problem is going to grow out of proportion unless we act now - there is no greater epidemic facing our community right now than drugs - it is affecting the future of the country - and it will involve every one us."
26-year-old Matt Noffs is the Development Manager at the Ted Noffs Foundation (TNF). He has created various drug programs nationally and worked with the Police and the NSW Premier's department in decreasing under age drinking and drug abuse. He is also the grandson of Ted Noffs. Peter Garret said of him "I write to recommend the outstanding work conducted by Matt Noffs. This uniquely Australian non-profit program provides support for young people."
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