LIFE EDUCATION AUSTRALIA

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY (16:37): I rise today to speak about Life Education Australia. Over the past 30 years there has been an increase in chronic disease which has been caused or heavily influenced by so-called lifestyle choices, such as tobacco use, alcohol abuse and consumption of illicit drugs, combined with poor diet, lack of exercise and obesity.

To address this, Life Education Australia and its affiliated state and territory members have developed a number of programs which aim to empower children to make informed decisions for a safe and healthy life. Their programs are somewhat based on the theory that prevention is better than cure, that is, if you educate children about drugs, alcohol and other lifestyle factors from an early age, you are more likely to prevent children from making negative life choices, which, in turn, results in a reduction of drug and alcohol-related diseases.

Six educators who are considered experts in the delivery of health education programs to children are employed by Life Education South Australia and visit preschools and primary schools to deliver age-appropriate programs to students. Preschoolers are provided with a fun and interactive learning experience, which aims to educate children about their body, provide information on leading a healthy, active lifestyle and reinforce the importance of having a positive attitude in life.

These preschool programs provide a foundation for future life education sessions by encouraging children to have a positive self-image and increasing their self-esteem. In primary school students are introduced to Harold the giraffe and his friends who assist in educating children about a broad spectrum of issues, including drugs, alcohol, bullying, smoking, peer pressure and support networks, with a view of providing children with the information to make informed, healthy decisions in life.

As children grow older, the programs are tailored to take into account their increased cognitive understanding, physical and emotional development and potential exposure to negative influences. Life Education educators also liaise with teachers to identify which issues may be particularly relevant to their class.

Life Education South Australia does not merely lecture students about the pitfalls of drugs and alcohol: its aim is to introduce the concept of these elements to children, explain the effects that these substances will have on their bodies and teach them coping mechanisms if they are confronted or offered these substances by helping them identify support networks and practising appropriate responses, all whilst reinforcing a positive attitude towards a healthy lifestyle. Children with increased self-esteem and self-image are more confident in dealing with peer pressure and therefore more likely to resist negative influences in favour of healthy and positive life choices.

In 2010 Life Education SA was allocated $450,000 of state government funding and managed to interact with 610,000 children. However, this funding has been withdrawn for 2011, which is in stark contrast to the New South Wales government funding Life Education NSW to the tune of $2 million. Being a non-profit organisation, Life Education SA relies on the support of sponsorships and government funding to ensure it continues its important work.

With the withdrawal of funding from the South Australian government, the number of children that Life Education SA is expected to engage will decline to only 50,000 students in 2011. I understand these children will be involved, as parents have volunteered to cover the cost of bringing the program to their child's school. However, there remains a vast number of children who will not receive the benefit of Life Education health education programs.

With the increasing cost of treating and caring for people with drug and alcohol related illnesses it is important that the Life Education program continues to reach as many children as possible.