17 June 2008

Minister orders review of drug education material

NSW Minister for Health Reba Meagher said today that a drug education brochure handed out to school students in Sydney's West will be removed from distribution and all other drug education material intended for distribution to young people will be reviewed.

Ms Meagher said the Iemma Government was committed to reducing drug and alcohol use - particularly among young people - and any material which gives young people the impression that drug use is safe or acceptable is not appropriate.

"Much of the information contained in this brochure is focussed on encouraging young people not to use drugs," Ms Meagher said.

"It also provides them with information about drug and alcohol services available in their area and steps they can take if they are concerned about themselves or a friend.

"But the reference to what young people should choose to do if they ignore anti-drug advice or information is simply not acceptable.

"That is why I have ordered this brochure to be pulped and others to be reviewed."

Ms Meagher has instructed the Department of Health to review similar drug education materials intended for distribution to young people to ensure they contain only appropriate information.

This review will be guided by advice from the Expert Advisory Group on Drugs, chaired by Professor Ian Webster and consisting of clinical and community members including the NSW Police Commissioner.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au