Turning the Tide on 'P'

NEW ZEALAND POLICE ASSOCIATION

Media Release

For Police, Education, Health & other interested Media Reporters

Embargoed until day of launch
29 November 2006

Turning the Tide on 'P'

"The Police Association are pleased to join with the Papatoetoe Neighbourhood Support Trust to launch 'Sophie's Story', a high-quality DVD and companion study guide that educates our young people on the dangers of methamphetamine/'P' and is aimed to help start turning the tide on 'P'," Greg O'Connor NZ Police Association President said commenting on the launch today.

"The Police Association began warning about this drug in the 1990's and today our members see the effects of this drug on our youth every day. This drug wreaks violence and tragedy through every layer of NZ society," said Mr O'Connor.

"Designed for secondary schools in particular, 'Sophie's Story' is an excellent aid in sensible drug education for our young people and we welcome the Minister of Education, the Honarable Steve Maharey's support in launching this resource," said Mr O'Connor. "It is also fitting for the launch to be in Counties Manukau, a district that has suffered a huge amount of heartbreak from this drug in recent times"

Produced by award-winning Point of View Productions, 'Sophie's Story' is a 20-minute dramatisation, which aims to arm young adults with accurate facts and potential consequences of methamphetamine use, in a format, which will hold their attention and empower them to go on to make well-informed choices around this drug.

Developed for use as a resource in Health and Drug education 'Sophie's Story' explores key themes in a way that catches the interest of young people (15 to 17 years) and provides a lively starting-point for discussion and teaching. The study guide has been written so it can be incorporated into Level 1 Health Achievement Standards and applied to existing programmes of work in Level 2 and Level 3 NCEA Achievement Standards (see: http://www.pointofview.co.nz/Sophie.htm).

ENDS

http://www.policeassn.org.nz

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