The need for greater education regarding alcohol use is imperative for our young people. Increased rates of alcohol use and abuse, rates of hospitalisations, accidents involving drink driving, and increases in drug and gambling addictions at a young age tell us that young people need to be more informed about the consequences of poor decision making.

The end of high school is a time marked by opportunities to celebrate important milestones in a young person’s life. Formals, graduations, and birthday celebrations are events where young people will have to make decisions about their use of alcohol and the ways they can celebrate safely.

The wider community has an important role to play in assisting young people to make wise decisions about safe celebrating. The support of parents, schools, police and licensed venues will help to determine the extent to which some young people engage with alcohol and risk taking.

The Out Tonight? Party Right was commissioned by the NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing to bring together a range of teaching resources, videos and games to support positive celebrating and responsible decision making. It is designed to be used to address components of the Department of Education and Communities’ compulsory Crossroads course in NSW Government Schools, or can be used in pastoral care in non-Government schools.

Students will undertake a range of lessons related to alcohol consumption in the community. These lessons will involve exploring a range of websites and completing lesson activities which will encourage students to question behaviour and perceptions which are commonplace in Australia. Students will gain the information they need to enjoy themselves while taking care of their body and behaving within the law and community expectations.

In the video section of the resource students are able to view videos from NSW Police, and TV reports regarding alcohol abuse and its impacts.The More Videos Section contains links which are for use by teachers on an interactive white board.

In the games section of the resource students are provided with activities which require them to make choices, determine risks, and explore the consequences of actions. The games teach young people about responsible decision making in relation to partying, drinking and associated risk-taking behaviours.

Party RightThe Out Tonight? Party Right program can be accessed at:

www.partyright.nsw.edu.au

TaleAccess to view and download individual lessons is available through the Teaching and Learning Exchange. www.tale.edu.au