YOUNG AUSTRALIANS: SMARTER ABOUT DRUGS

A National Conversation: “Young Australians: Smarter about drugs” – 7 May 2014

There is a growing recognition that Australia’s drug policy is not working, and it is young Australians who are most affected. Young people are more likely to develop serious health, social or legal problems from drugs and young people can experience severe criminal justice sanctions that can have life changing impacts throughout adulthood. Yet young people are seldom asked their views on these matters.

To address this the Hawkyoung students e Centre at the University of South Australia, The Ted Noffs Foundation and Australia21 co-hosted a “Smarter on drugs in schools” event on 7 May 2014. Young people were invited to discuss issues, ideas and options with leading thinkers in this field, including Dr Alex Wodak AM, Mick Palmer AO APM, Matt Noffs and Vivienne Hall at a workshop in the afternoon which was followed by a panel discussion for the whole community in the evening.