This term, the Year 11 students went to Southern Cross University in Lismore to participate in the RRISK Seminar. RRISK is an organisation that informs young people about the responsibilities and risks that come with drugs, alcohol and driving.
It was a really informative day. Paul Dillon from DARTA (Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia) spoke about strategies for planning ahead to reduce harm from drug and alcohol use. Paul was a really engaging speaker who knew his stuff and what was relevant to our age group. There were lots of lessons to take away from this presentation, such as - bread won’t sober you up and could be fatal; always eat a small amount of food if you intend on drinking; drink water if you’re consuming alcohol; don’t force water into intoxicated people let them drink water as they please; and that a lot of young people die from drug and alcohol overdose and this can be prevented from simple strategies including having someone sober nearby. Drugs can stay in your system for more than 48 hours. If you’re under the influence and think you're feeling fine you probably aren’t and shouldn’t drive. Youth living in this area are twice as likely to be randomly tested for drugs and alcohol and positive tests can result in servere penalties that can impact your future. DARTA has lots of great information available on their website darta.net.au.
The second presenter was Justin Monk, an RMS vehicle regulations inspector, who talked about safe cars and buying and maintaining your first vehicle. He also taught us about the hazards that come with sharing the road with other vehicles, including the risks around trucks.
All in all there was lots to learn and this is just a snapshot of a broad subject that is very important for youth and their parents to be informed about .
Year 11 student
It was a really informative day. Paul Dillon from DARTA (Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia) spoke about strategies for planning ahead to reduce harm from drug and alcohol use. Paul was a really engaging speaker who knew his stuff and what was relevant to our age group. There were lots of lessons to take away from this presentation, such as - bread won’t sober you up and could be fatal; always eat a small amount of food if you intend on drinking; drink water if you’re consuming alcohol; don’t force water into intoxicated people let them drink water as they please; and that a lot of young people die from drug and alcohol overdose and this can be prevented from simple strategies including having someone sober nearby. Drugs can stay in your system for more than 48 hours. If you’re under the influence and think you're feeling fine you probably aren’t and shouldn’t drive. Youth living in this area are twice as likely to be randomly tested for drugs and alcohol and positive tests can result in servere penalties that can impact your future. DARTA has lots of great information available on their website darta.net.au.
The second presenter was Justin Monk, an RMS vehicle regulations inspector, who talked about safe cars and buying and maintaining your first vehicle. He also taught us about the hazards that come with sharing the road with other vehicles, including the risks around trucks.
All in all there was lots to learn and this is just a snapshot of a broad subject that is very important for youth and their parents to be informed about .
Year 11 student