During September, the City of Mount Gambier Youth Advisory Committee delivered the Red Cross SAVE A MATE program to local high schools and area schools. Under the program, two Red Cross SAVE A MATE trainers delivered workshops on Alcohol and Other Drug Emergencies (AODE).
Council’s Manager Community Services, Gina Ploenges, said the interactive program aims to reduce incidences of harm and fatalities associated with substance use by young people.
“It teaches participants how to recognise and prevent the occurrences of AODE overdoses through harm minimisation strategies,” she said.
The City of Mount Gambier Youth Advisory Committee sourced the program as a result of its YOUTH=CHANGE06 forum. At the forum, young people created a Youth Declaration. Under the declaration’s ‘drug and alcohol’ heading, they included the need to provide ‘first aid for parties’.
The Youth Advisory Committee obtained a $10,000 Crime Prevention and Community Safety grant from the South Australian Government’s Justice Department. As a result, the Red Cross began delivering the Alcohol and Other Drug Emergencies (AODE) Peer Education workshop to schools in September, with further workshops to be held in November and December.
The program complements the Department of Education and Children’s Services Drug Strategy initiatives and can be tailored to meet each individual’s or group’s requirements and needs.
An optional cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) course is available, which teaches participants the skills and knowledge required to respond to the occurrences of overdoses and other emergencies. It teaches participants how to provide basic first aid until the arrival of medical or other assistance. Participants also receive a nationally accredited certificate.
For further information contact Gina Ploenges, Community Services Manager, telephone (08) 8721 2505.
