Stefaniak A Scrooge On Drug Education Funding

Wayne Berry - Opposition Spokesperson on Education

Media Statement - 20 December 2000

Labor Shadow Education Minister Wayne Berry has slammed the low levels funding for drug education in the Territory's schools.

Mr Berry's statement follows evidence given to the ACT Legislative Assembly Education Committee that only $320,000 has been allocated to drug education initiatives in the government school system in the ACT.

"This translates to a measly average of $4,000 to each of the Territory's 8 colleges, 16 high schools and 67 primary schools. When you spread this across almost 40,000 students it's a drop in the bucket. That's only $8 per student

"We have today a report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare where it was revealed that almost half the population had used an illicit drug at some time in their lives and more than 1 in 5 had used in the previous year. Clearly the Territory's Education Minister Bill Stefaniak is not treating the issue seriously when it comes to funding.

"$320,000 is just not enough to address one of the biggest problems we face - the increasing use of drugs by young people. If we spend money educating children about the dangers of drugs we can save millions of dollars on rehabilitation programs, drug treatment programs and incarceration.

"The Government needs to get serious about sending the right message to children while they are still in school so that we can stem the growth of drug use amongst Canberra's young people," Mr Berry concluded.