Tackling a tough health issue

“It’s a health issue not a moral issue.”

That is how Substance Misuse Limestone Coast (SMLC), project manager Sophie Bourchier can best sum up local teenager’s experiences around alcohol and other drugs and how the community needs to tackle the issue.

Substance Misuse Limestone Coast, community leaders and representatives from the Alcohol and Drug Foundation met last week to discuss issues and opportunities related to alcohol and other drugs, identified through the third Planet Youth school survey undertaken by Limestone Coast students in 2023.

The survey data was analysed by the international group Planet Youth and plays an important role in helping us understand the issues and opportunities associated with local teenager’s experiences around alcohol and other drugs.

The Australian version of the world-renowned alcohol and other drug prevention model has been piloted since 2019 through SMLC, as one of six trial sites across Australia.

The Limestone Coast survey findings, involving Year 10 students in six local council areas, were presented to community groups and stakeholders at the workshop in Mount Gambier last week.

Naracoorte Lucindale, Wattle Range and City of Mount Gambier council areas encompass the surveyed students with the statistics still alarmingly high.

“The numbers in some areas have dipped a bit but it is still outrageous,” Sophie said.

“The data provides valuable insight into the alcohol and other drug experiences of local youth, as well as opportunities for SMLC and the local Planet Youth Network to set directions for future alcohol and other drug harm prevention and reduction activities.”

Planning is already underway and will continue for the next two weeks with funding from the Alcohol and Drug Foundation helping finance the creation and implementation of an action plan.

“Over the last five years of the local Planet Youth surveys, SMLC has worked to develop strong network groups within communities to develop action plans to decrease risk factors and increase protective factors regarding alcohol and other drug use amongst teenagers,” Sophie said.

“Guidance from parents and positive role models is important for keeping kids safe, that, and being a collective voice and saying ‘no’ to risky behaviour and explaining why and drilling down as to why.

“It is all about the affects of alcohol on the adolescent brain – it is disastrous and the affects are life long.

“Although there has been a drop in the data of those drinking at home compared to the 2021 survey, the numbers are still very high, and we know there is a permissive culture in some communities that contributes to these activities, and the action plan will continue to address this.

Vaping and e-cigarette use was on the rise amongst Limestone Coast teenagers, in line with a national trend, with survey data showing that 1 in 10 teenagers surveyed used e-cigarettes daily.

“We knew, by anecdotal evidence, that this would be a worrisome statistic,” Sophie said. “We will also continue to address this in the community action plan.”

The new survey follows SMLC’s successful regional sporting club campaign in 2023, which involved 26 clubs across the Limestone Coast displaying signage discouraging parental supply of alcohol to young people.

The Alcohol and Drug Foundation’s Head of Evidence and Innovation, Craig Martin, who presented at the forum, said locally led alcohol and other drug harm prevention initiatives play a powerful role in building and maintaining healthy communities.

“Community-led prevention is an important part of a comprehensive approach to minimising the harmful impact of alcohol and other drugs, particularly among young people,” Mr. Martin said.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KATE HILL