RRISK Youth Project
Reduce Risk- Increase Student Knowledge (RRISK) offers students the opportunity to develop attitudes, skills and knowledge required to reduce risk-taking behaviour associated with driving, drug and alcohol use and celebrating.
RRISK is a 6-year old partnership program between the Department of Education and Training, Catholic Education Office, Lismore City,Tweed and Ballina Councils and Health Promotion North Coast Area Health, with support and sponsorships from Southern Cross University, ABC North Coast, NSW Police, NSW Ambulance Service and SES Services.
The target group is Year 10 and/or year 11 students from high schools in Northern NSW. These students are aged between 16 and 18 years and are most likely to be learner and/or provisional drivers.
RRISK involves a range of strategies that support the Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) curriculum and the program culminates each year with the RRISK Seminars held in November.
In 2005, over 2000 students from 26 high schools will attend RRisk seminars to be held at Southern Cross University in Lismore, and the Tweed Heads Civic Centre, between 22nd and 25th of November.
The Health Promotion Unit received a grant from the Motor Accident Authority to carry out a three year evaluation of the RRISK program. That evaluation will be published in October 2005.
The aim of the program is to assist students to make informed decisions that will reduce potential harm and injury.
The major themes of the RRISK Program are:
- know the facts,
- make informed decisions,
- minimise risky choices,
- plan ahead, and
- look after friends.
RRISK targets year 10 and/or year 11 high school students who are most likely to be learner and/or provisional drivers.
RRISK offers timely education on issues appropriate to the developmental stage, social life and concerns of adolescents. It provides a framework for an integrated response to minimising the harms associated with alcohol, drugs, driving and other potentially risky behaviours.
The RRISK program involves a range of strategies including skills based learning, support for the senior Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) curriculum, newsletter inserts professional development for teachers, and peer leadership training for students.