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Local Schools Learn How to Save-a-Mate
Local High School students will now have the opportunity to participate in the Save-a-Mate program, sponsored by the City of Melville.
The program will be run by the Australian Red Cross and provide participants with the skills and knowledge to prevent, recognise and respond to emergencies resulting from alcohol or the use of other drugs.
Year Ten students at Leeming Senior High School, Corpus Christi College and Melville Senior High School will participate in the program, which comprises two, one-hour sessions.
Mayor Russell Aubrey said the course acknowledged that despite the harms associated with alcohol and drugs, some people will still choose to use them.
“The Save-a-Mate program provides accurate and non-judgmental education, allowing participants to make informed decisions about emergencies involving drugs and alcohol,” he said.
“Last year the City of Melville’s Youth Consultation Project RESET identified significant concerns among young people in the City relating to alcohol and other drugs, as well as youth safety.
“This is not surprising when considering that almost two-thirds of 14 to 17 year olds drink alcohol at least occasionally. However, the smaller body size of adolescents makes them less able to tolerate the same amounts of alcohol than adults. Young people also lack the experience of drinking and its effects and are less able to judge their own levels of intoxication.
“In addition, the 2007 National Drug Strategy Household Survey found that 23 percent of people aged 15 to 24 years reported using illicit drugs during the last 12 months, around twice as high as the proportion of people aged 25 years and over.
“The Save-a-Mate program recognises there is a need for education and informs young people about the inherent dangers of alcohol and drug use, as well as what to do in an emergency. It could help save lives.”
The Save-a-Mate initiative is supported by the Melville Youth Advisory Council, is in line with the City’s youth and public health strategies and contributes to achieving the City’s shared vision of a Safer Melville.
Upon completion of the Save-a-Mate course, all participants will be awarded a certificate of participation.