We provided drug educational materials to individuals and the community with the purpose to educate youth and adults on the truth about drugs, including the short and longterm effects of drugs allowing them to make informed choices about their physical and mental health and to highlight the benefits of remaining drug free. Across Australia, 306,318 Truth About Drugs booklets were distributed, reaching individuals, parents, schools, community groups, educators, and law enforcement. Volunteers visited 159 towns and suburbs, from regional WA, NSW, Victoria, and Queensland to major cities including Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, and Adelaide. New South Wales: In a sixweek campaign before the NSW Government Drug Summit, 80,000 marijuana awareness booklets were distributed. Auburn households received 11,500 booklets in response to rising drugrelated incidents, leading to a reported decrease in local dealer activity. A total of 120,000 booklets were distributed across Sydney with 20 volunteers. Queensland: A team of seven volunteers distributed 43,194 booklets, with 29 businesses stocking materials. Booklets were shared in car parks, motels, and shops, with many individuals requesting extra copies for family and friends. Western Australia: Perth volunteers visited six towns, distributing 19,625 booklets and stocking 225 businesses. In January, 5,625 booklets were restocked at businesses, 20 local religious groups received materials, and 10,000 booklets were letterboxed across six suburbs. On Australia Day, a campaign tent distributed 4,000 booklets, with 20 individuals signing a pledge. In February, 10 education kits were provided to community leaders, and volunteers attended a youthfocused drug education event. Regional Australia: A regional tour covered 73 towns across Queensland, Victoria, and NSW. Volunteers traveled 1,450 km west of Brisbane, distributing 2,286 booklets businesses and 10 post offices. A southern route through NSW and Victoria s High Country reached 32 towns, distributing 500 booklets. Victoria Victorian volunteers distributed 15,500 booklets across 60 towns and engaged with 120 organizations and businesses. The team covered 3,525 km. They also received a community service award in the education category at the Caulfield Volunteer Awards.
International Activities
We launched the Truth About Drugs education campaign in Fiji at the request of local Fijians seeking to tackle the growing problem of drugs in the community and the need for a comprehensive educational program. Our team activated local church groups and community groups, with a team of 150 Fijians now working on the campaign on the ground. They attended all major fairs and the Athletics Carnival in Fiji, distributing booklets. They ran seminar for pastors, also distributing booklets to educate their parishioners. Each seminar had 200 in attendance and was held in four locations. A key advocate on the island conducted a lecture for Drug-Free Ambassadors, educating students, teachers, and families. During the Hibiscus Festival in Suva, 14,536 booklets were distributed over two days. 150,000 drug educational booklets were distributed and the campaign is continuing due to the emphasis on the training the trainers, so drug education lectures can be taught on the ground.