Teen Challenge Tasmania is proud to announce completion of term 4, 2015 delivery of “Not Even
Once” drug demand reduction projects for schools, parents, teachers and communities to combat
the hopelessness around ICE and other drug use.

“”Our team completed delivery, Friday 4th December, to eight Northern Tasmanian High Schools
and two community seminars in a 10 day period “ says Mrs Tanya Cavanagh, Executive Director of
Teen Challenge Tasmania “We were able to reach just over 3000 Tassie kids before school holiday
break, where kids are at their most vulnerable. They are celebrating end of year, away from safe
environments such as school and unfortunately for many, alcohol and drug use can be a part of
this time.”

Teen Challenge are Demand Reduction and Rehabilitation Specialists. We are passionate
“fencebuilders” to those on the cliff of entry into substance use #notevenonce is a Demand
Reduction Project aimed at School students, parents, teachers and community members
Of the schools project Tanya said “We take coal face experience and combine with current factual
information and evidence within a creative pedagogy through our partnership with Dalgarno
Institute, to educate Tassie kids.” she said “#notevenonce journey’s them through statistics, real
local stories, personal journeys of Teen Challenge graduates and medical and scientific evidence.”
say’s Tanya “We aim to enable kids the opportunity to develop their own context for their lives and
hopefully make positive choices for their future” .

This is effectively delivered through the following components:

What – what’s the actual facts on current situation for young people on alcohol and illicit drugs.
How – how do drugs such as ICE, Marijuana, Ecstacy, alcohol effect our bodies, minds and brains.
How do they impact the developing brain.

Why – this is the most important component. “We encourage young people to develop a context for
their life. Why they chose to do things, what they are basing their decisions on.” she said “Their
reason and meaning for their lives is so vital. Causational issues such as peer pressure, emotional/
relational pain and more and discuss the alternatives available to them, like talk therapies rather
than taking up substance use to mask their hurt and pain.” Tanya said “Resilience, problem solving
skills and hope, how this can be developed and can equip them for their future.

“The parent and community aspects are a much deeper immersion than the students.”said Tanya”
It’s designed to dovetail and educate people as the kids are, however we additionally look at how
culture can and must be changed, signs to look for and strategies to take. Again coal face
experience helping change the narrative.”

This is a statement from Scotch Oakburn College’s, Wellbeing Co-ordinator on the program
“Thank you Tanya and team for some terrific sessions with our students. The students were quickly
engaged and the feedback was very positive. Of particular interest to me was how the students
reported that your sessions had impacted on their likely behaviour in the future – #notevenonce
seems to have struck a chord! Keep up the fantastic work!”

And from a Year 9 student of Brooks High School,when asked if there was a particular part of the
presentation that appealed

“All of it I loved it. It gave me an understanding of what drugs can do and affect you not just you but
the people around you. It made me think twice about doing any of that”

“The impact was incredible. We had many kids and teachers coming forward after the sessions, to
thank us for the session and what they personally got out of it” Tanya said “ However what stood
out the most for me was the volume of kids that wanted to talk about their personal experiences,
some in tears and to discuss strategies to move forward.” she explained “The fragility and
vulnerability of many of our kids is heart breaking and they need support like this project to help”
“We will be continuing the project in 2016 with our aim to reach all Tasmanian kids grade 5 and
upwards.”

The project was personally funded by Tanya Cavanagh and her husband Peter Ferrall,Teen
Challenge’s fundraising, financial support from many concerned members of the Tasmanian
community and proudly sponsored by Launceston City Council, Dalgarno Institute and Community
Training Australia

www.teenchallengetasmania.org

PO Box 453 Launceston, TAS 7250
Brooks High School
Tanya Cavanagh Executive Director Teen Challenge Tasmania