Schools in the City of Tea Tree Gully have welcomed a generous donation of drug education books by local Rotary Clubs, to celebrate Australia Day 2008. Entitled ‘Golden Haze’ by author Jade Lewis, the books carry a strong drug prevention message and class sets of 30 were presented to school representatives at an annual Australia Day Breakfast at Pine Park, today.

The Rotary Clubs of Modbury, Tea Tree Gully and Golden Grove joined forces to purchase a series of the class sets of ‘Golden Haze’ and, together with Drug Free Australia, have arranged distribution to secondary schools in the area.

Rotarian and Assistant District Governor Keith Rendell, who coordinated the initiative of the 3 clubs said today: “The book ‘Golden Haze’, is an important story to be told for young people and parents about drug addiction. It shows how, at 16, Jade, a well-adjusted teenager, who was a straight ‘A’ student and budding Olympic athlete from a loving family, innocently became introduced to drugs. This is an excellent book to put into the hands of any young person. It serves as a warning to some that may be tempted by the drug scene and will give hope to anyone with a serious life-controlling problem”.

Drug Free Australia’s Executive Officer, Jo Baxter added: “We are very pleased that 9 out of the 11 secondary schools in the City of Tea Tree Gully have taken up our offer to donate the books as class sets. Teachers plan to use them in health and English classes – they will be an important catalyst for discussion and should impact positively on middle school students and their future choices about drugs’.

Ryan Hidden, Director of the Recovered Drug Users’ League of SA and Drug Free Australia’s Youth Advocate complimented the work of Jade in documenting her addiction and recovery experience so realistically. Ryan acknowledges that, as with others who suffer addiction, Jade’s health was the first to be adversely affected, as was her relationship with those closest to her - her family. Jade acknowledges that she is one of the lucky ones – and understands completely that ‘prevention is better than cure’ especially where illicit drug use is concerned’.

Keith Rendell is hopeful that this project will expand within Rotary, now that it has been successfully implemented in Tea Tree Gully.