DARTA: Paul Dillon – Student and Parent Seminars

DARTA: Paul Dillon – Student and Parent Seminars

Domremy College would like to thank Paul Dillon, Principal and Director of DARTA (Drug and Alcohol Research and. Training Australia), who presented to our Years 10-12 students, Years 7-12 parents and Staff.

Paul is passionate about ensuring that the community has access to accurate and up-to-date alcohol and other drug information.  His presentations, to both students and parents, were engaging and informative. Paul addressed some of the challenges adolescents and parents are currently facing during adolescence, which is typically a period of increased risk taking.

Paul Dillon spoke to parents and students about young people at school and alcohol and drugs.  He also addressed the area of vaping, providing them with relevant data and strategies in an attempt to inform them and keep them safe.  Almost half of young people reported first vaping when they were 13 years or younger. 

Advice to students

Our Year 10, 11 and 12 students were encouraged to download the:

  • emergency+ app here, https://www.emergencyplus.com.au/, which helps users quickly and accurately communicate their location to emergency services by utilizing GPS functionality and “what3words” technology, even offline
     

     
  • DARTA Digital Cards App here, https://darta.net.au/digital-cards/ .Once downloaded this app is designed to provide quick and easy to understand guidance to users.  It deals with situations like panic attack, dealing with a drunk friend and vomiting.  This app is designed to help keep our young people safe

Advice to parents

The THREE things Paul advised parents were:

  1. Always know where your child is
  2. Always know who your child is with
  3. Know when your child will be home
Further information & resources

If you are interested in accessing Paul’s and DARTA’s resources to assist parents, or access other accurate and up to date information, you can do so via the following channels which Paul has agreed to us sharing with you:

Website: www.darta.net.au

Email: p.dillon@darta.net.au

X: @dartapdillon

Instagram – @dillonpauldarta

Facebook: @darta

Mrs Badya Gebrael, Leader of Wellbeing and Student Wellbeing Officer (NSWP)