• When drinking

    It's important to set clear rules and expectations around alcohol early on.

  • Around drugs

    As a parent/guardian, drug use is often one of the biggest concerns when it comes to allowing your teen to celebrate Schoolies.

  • With sex

    When it comes to sex, don't assume that your teen is across it all.

  • Out and about

    Information for when you're child is out at Schoolies.

  • With social media and privacy

    Leading up to Schoolies, make time to share some tips on how your teen can keep themselves safe whilst using social media.

  • Relationships and wellbeing

    Schoolies is often promoted as the best week of your teen's life but this is often not the case.

  • Accommodation

    You may think that the safest place for your teen to hang out during Schoolies is in their accommodation but often, it can be the place where risk taking behaviour is at its highest.

  • During schoolies

    Your teen may have zero expectations of staying in contact with you whilst their away at Schoolies but we encourage parents / guardians to stay in touch with their teens during their time away.

As a parent/guardian, drug use is often one of the biggest concerns when it comes to allowing your teen to celebrate Schoolies. The only way for your teen to stay safe around drugs at Schoolies, is to say no and not use them.

When talking to your teen about drug use at Schoolies, remind them that every time they take drugs, they are gambling with their life and their future. Schoolies is about creating great memories, not bad ones.

Top ten discussion points for the teen who chooses to take illicit drugs at Schoolies:

  1. The only way to stay safe around drugs at Schoolies is to not take them. There is no safe level of illicit drug use – taking drugs is always risky.
  2. Every time your teen takes drugs, they are gambling with their life - communicate how valuable their lives are and how you would feel if anything happened to them.
  3. No one can ever be sure of what they are taking, but more importantly, your teen can never know how their body will react - effects can vary between people or can give different results for the same person on different occasions.
  4. Don’t mix drugs including alcohol, prescription medication or caffeine
  5. Drugs and depression don’t mix – they can heighten moods and make symptoms worse
  6. Misuse of legally purchased substances (e.g. inhaling nangs), is not risk-free and can be harmful to their health
  7. It is illegal for your teen to give someone prescription drugs, other than as prescribed
  8. The possession and consumption of illicit drugs is illegal in Australia. Drug convictions can affect future employment options and the ability to travel overseas. Remind your teen that good choices make great futures.
  9. Do not drink or drive when under the influence of illicit drugs as they affect your judgement, reflexes and the ability to make good decisions.
  10. In an emergency, don’t risk it – always call Triple Zero (000). Remind your teen to never the let the fear of getting in to trouble stop them from calling Triple Zero (000). The health and safety of the patient is the main concern of emergency services.