Photo: greens.org.au

The innovative Prevent Alcohol and Risk-related Trauma in Youth (Party) program graphically demonstrates the impact of alcohol and drug abuse.

Minister for Mental Health Martin Foley visited the Alfred Hospital today to announce the Labor Government will extend the program through to 2019.

With 7000 ambulance callouts a year to young people aged 15-24 for alcohol or drug issues, Party introduces secondary students aged 15-19 to the consequences of risky behaviour – including alcohol and drug use.

It is delivered by the Alfred and Royal Melbourne Hospitals to students across Victoria, with students able to review real-life clinical scenarios, and see an emergency room, a burns and trauma unit, an Intensive Care Unit and a family bereavement room.

Young people also meet a trauma survivor who discusses the impact of risky behaviour on their lives, and discusses options with the students.

The program is delivered at the hospitals, or through an Outreach program to locations around Victoria – it covers the trauma, injury and health consequences of risky behaviour.

Since the Party program began in 2009 around 8700 people from 263 schools across Victoria have taken part.