School Principals warned about Teen Challange Tasmania’s drug education program

MARRA (Meander Area Residents and Ratepayers Association) has raised concerns over the validity of Teen Challenge Tasmania’s #NotEvenOnce® drug education program being offered in schools.

MARRA president Ms Bodhi McSweeney said today that no current evaluations had provided any proof of the effectiveness of the program. “And we aren’t the only group worried about this program”, she added.

“Our investigations into Teen Challenge operations revealed the program has not been independently evaluated by drug education experts to confirm it’s effective.”
“Worse, the program has features that drug education experts say should be avoided, or that are even harmful. For example, the use of ex-drug addicts as speakers can unintentionally ‘glamourise’ addiction, and encourage risky behaviour in young people.”

“Acknowledged experts, including Tasmania’s own Drug Education Network, know the features of drug education programs of proven effectiveness. We don’t think #NotEvenOnce® has those features.”

Teen Challenge Tasmania claims it “specialises in the alcohol and other drugs sector in treatment interventions, and prevention through education”. But none of the personnel delivering the #NotEvenOnce® program in schools is a qualified teacher or health care worker, or has tertiary qualifications in drug education and training.

“Teen Challenge Tasmania’s expertise is in evangelism and highly persuasive marketing”, said Ms McSweeney. “Their Vision Statement is “life transformation… We desire that every person within Tasmania is equipped to choose freedom from addiction through the saving grace of Jesus Christ.”

“We are especially concerned right now because Teen Challenge Tasmania is Agfest’s Official Charity for 2018, and lots of school groups go to Agfest”, said Ms McSweeney. “Teen Challenge Tasmania’s Vision Statement is not in Agfest’s website or brochure, and the public doesn’t know that the #NotEvenOnce® program is not best practice, and may be harmful.”

“Teen Challenge Tasmania will be seeking support from Agfest patrons, including school groups, who simply don’t know the full story,” said Ms McSweeney.

MARRA has raised its concerns over Teen Challenge’s #NotEvenOnce® drug education in schools with High School Principals around Tasmania.
Bodhi McSweeney, President of the Meander Area Residents and Ratepayers Association Inc. (MARRA)