The Drug Education Project

Personal Development, Well Within

One life lost due to alcohol or drug misuse is one too many….

The reality is all young people need drug and alcohol education, whether they indulge or not, as everyone can be affected by the choices of those who do. Our aim is to reduce the adverse health, social, cultural and economic consequences of alcohol and other drug use by minimising the harm for both the community and the individual.

The Drug Education Project is facilitated by a Health Teacher and a Paramedic.

Our sessions are practical and engaging, discussing the very real issues facing students today.

• We promote positive social norms and teach strategies to recognise and reduce harm.
• We believe given accurate information and practical strategies, our youth are better equipped to make “good” decisions.
• We will empower students to recognise harm, act quickly and appropriately, to reduce drug and alcohol related harm in their communities and perhaps even save a life!
• An important part of our message to both parents and students is “SAFETY”. We have developed an action plan that we believe will help our young audience to identify an alcohol or drug emergency and guide them to act. Students currently receive a business size card to place in their wallet that reminds them of the steps of this action plan.

The objective is to teach young people about the harmful effects of alcohol and other drug use, as a key preventative measure in the ongoing effort to address drug related harm. The sessions are interactive and we encourage questions! The aim is to get the students thinking, talking and involved in the process, and actively developing their own strategies to keep safe.

Sharon Torpey

Sharon Torpey is the Co-founder and Director of Drug Education Australia, a leading provider of high quality, factual drug education. Drug Education Australia delivers education programs to school communities and sporting groups, providing the latest and most accurate information around drug and alcohol use. She is a qualified Health Education Teacher, with 20 years’ experience in connecting with young people and their parents.

Throughout her career, Sharon has taught in both a primary and secondary educational setting, and in the past ten years has also facilitated the “Keys Please” learner driver education program for Vic Roads, which is delivered to year 10 students.  In addition to facilitating this program Sharon was selected to work as part of the team that reviewed and updated the “Keys Please” program to ensure it was relevant, engaging and achieving the programs aims and objectives.

Successfully engaging with both parents and students is a key to Sharon’s success and one of the reasons she is so highly sought after. Sharon naturally connects with this age group, which is seen through her ongoing work with Drug Ed Australia, and her work at Vic Roads.

Her passion lies in ensuring individual choices around drugs and alcohol are informed by the latest research, and that the information is delivered in a way that is non-threatening, accessible and age-appropriate.

Sharon recognises that the cohort that Drug Ed Australia seek to reach are some of the most vulnerable members of our society. Providing quality education and information around drug and alcohol misuse means that teenagers can move more safely through this challenging and potentially complex period in their life.

Testimonials