Year 11 WebQuest

Year 11 PDHPEPreliminary Core 2

Assignment

WebQuest Due Date: Tuesday Week 9

Marks: 20Outcomes: P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P15, P16Key Competencies:

• Collecting, analysing and organising information
• Planning and organising activities
• Using mathematical ideas and techniques
• Using technology
• Solving problems

Syllabus Areas: How does drug use affect your health?

Task:WebQuest

What actions are needed for you to achieve and maintain the best possible health?

Introduction: Teenage drug use is a hot topic for debate within Australian society. But what are the real facts? Are the statistics as bad as the media make out? Can we do anything about it anyway?

The Task:

You are to write a report for the Federal Minister for Health entitled “Tackling Teenage Drug Use”. Your report will be used by the Minister as the basis on which he designs Federal reforms for drug use within Australian society. You can download this worksheet with the questions & task or this focus sheet or view this cluster)

The Process:

In order to complete your report, it is necessary for you to form a complete picture of the status of teenage drug use in Australia today. You will need to find current statistics that might include; age of drug use, types of drugs used, consequences of drug use etc. These statistics will help you to address the following issues that should all feature in your report;

1. nature of the problem of teenage drug use
2. Why do changes need to be made?
3. What actions are necessary to improve the health of young people in terms of drug use?
4. What is in place to address the issue at present?
5. What changes to these strategies need to be made?
6. What strategies can you suggest? Attach a detailed outline/ sample of one specific strategy that you suggest
7. Evaluate your chance of success with each suggestion Your report should be typed up in the form of an information report. See the following page for a sample scaffold for an information report to use as a guide. Be sure to cite all references taken from specific studies etc.

Resources:

You should use a variety of resources that are accessible to you. These may include print articles, journals, websites, books or pamphlets. Specific websites that may be useful include;

Youth Solutions: comprehensive online resources. Includes factsheets and links. Start Here!

• Commonwealth Department of Education website containing information and statistics on Australian drug use as well as current action plans targeting drug use.
• Australian Drug information Network. Contains information on statistics, treatment options, drug specifics and prevention ideas.
• Gives details about the National Drug Strategy to reduce the harm caused by drugs in over a 5 year period until 2003.
• Site for our National Drugs Campaign. Contains sample strategies being used at present.
• Site of the Drinking Choices campaign.
• Site of the National Quit Now campaign against tobacco use.
• Government website, The Source, aimed at teenagers discussing issues most relevant to them, including drug use.
• NSW Office of Drug Policy Discusses issues of drug use, treatment and legal matters. Also provides a link to the NSW Government’s Plan of Action.
• The web site of the Australian Department of Health and Ageing.

Evaluation:

Marks	Description
18-20	Report shows evidence of careful planning, excellent research and critical analysis of the issue of teenage drug use The report is written in a clear and logical way Depth of understanding of the current approaches to teenage drug use by the government and other organisations is clear. Many examples are given Report constantly refers to the specific needs of adolescents – why they take drugs, what alternatives are available to them, why some specific approaches to health promotion in this area would be more successful with teenagers than other approaches Strategies suggested demonstrate a clear analysis of the issue and are practical and achievable in their scope. An evaluation of their success is made. One strategy has been outlined in detail and/or a sample has been provided. This strategy shows creative thinking and is targeted clearly at the teenage audience
14-17	Evidence of research is clear throughout the report Specific reference is made to several examples of current strategies being followed by the government at present Suggests a variety of strategies that would also suit the teenage audience. An evaluation of these strategies is made. One strategy has been outlined in detail and/or a sample has been provided. This strategy is well suited to the adolescent age group. The report is well structured and specific in detail
10-13	Report is written around the findings of current statistics on drug use within adolescents An attempt is made to define the nature of the problem – the student clearly indicates the risks associated with drug use At least one current strategy of the government is discussed One specific strategy is outlined and an attempt at its evaluation is made
5-9	Some reference is made to the current trends in teenage drug use in Australia Discussion throughout the report is linked specifically to adolescents At least one strategy is suggested and outlined, however no clear evaluation of its chance of success has been made
1-4	Little attempt has been made to research the specifics of teenage drug use in Australia Report is brief and not well structured Strategies to target teenage drug use may or may not be mentioned, but no details are given Report contains some relevant information on teenage drug use

Conclusion:

After completing this information report, students will develop the knowledge and skills necessary to plan effective drug use strategies aimed at adolescents. A detailed understanding of the nature of the issue and how the issue is being treated by the government and other organisations will assist them in planning effective strategies for the future.