Youth Issues
Diversity and Discrimination
Discrimination occurs when someone is treated less fairly based on his or her age, gender, race, sexual orientation, marital status, appearance, physical disability, culture or beliefs. Such forms of discrimination are not only hurtful to the person being discriminated against but they can also be illegal.
For more information on discrimination or what to do if you feel you have been discriminated against, refer to the following web sites.
Centre for Multicultural Youth: www.cmy.net.au
A statewide community-based organisation that aims to strengthen and build innovative partnerships between young people, support services and the community to enhance life opportunities for young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs: www.immi.gov.au
Offers specific information on immigration and indigenous issues in Australia.
Diversity Victoria: diversity.vicnet.net.au
The Equal Opportunity Commission of Victoria Diversity Campaign web site. Provides information about diversity as well as detailing your rights and responsibilities.
Face the Facts: www.hreoc.gov.au/racial_discrimination/face_facts
Lists questions and answers about immigration, refugees and indigenous affairs.
Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission: www.hreoc.gov.au
Provides specific information about disability rights, human rights, racial discrimination and sex discrimination.
Religious Tolerance: www.religioustolerance.org/main_day.htm
Provides general information about some of the larger of the world's religions, including holy days and religious calendars.
Southern Ethnic Advisory and Advocacy Council
Helps young people settle into Australia. Ph: 9563 4130
Youth Challenge Online: www.humanrights.gov.au/education/youthchallenge/index.html
A website produced by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, providing information on human rights and responsibilities.
For more info call Monash Youth & Family Services on 9518 3900.
Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco
Drugs can be divided into two categories; legal and illegal drugs. Some legal drugs can assist the body's natural functions, such as prescription and pharmaceutical medications, however all drugs, legal and illegal, have the potential to be very dangerous. Although alcohol and tobacco are legal for Victorians over the age of 18, these legal drugs can also have very serious side effects.
Illegal drugs are illegal for a reason. Not only can they be addictive and have a range of side effects, but illegal drugs are produced in backyard laboratories and have no standards they must meet. That means by using illegal drugs, there is no guarantee of what you are putting into your body or what effect it may have.
According to the Australian Drug Foundation, drug use (including alcohol and tobacco use) is a factor in about one in five of all deaths in Australia.
The following web sites provide further information about drugs, including alcohol and tobacco, and suggest where to go for support if you or someone you know has a problem with drugs.
Australian Drug Foundation: www.adf.org.au
A website produced by an independent, non-profit organisation. It provides information on a range of drug related issues.
Australian Drug Information Network: www.adin.com.au
Lists information, articles and other drug related publications as well as a list of services available to people in Australia.
Child and Youth Health - Drugs and Alcohol: www.cyh.com/cyh/youthtopics/usr_index1.stm?directory_id=1
Provides detailed information about a range of specific drug and alcohol issues.
www.alcohol.gov.au: www.alcohol.gov.au
The Australian Government's information site for alcohol. Here you will find information on alcohol-related health, science, news, and Australian Government policy.
Drug Info Clearinghouse: druginfo.adf.org.au
A site managed by the Australian Drug Foundation. It provides detailed information about the impact of drug and alcohol abuse. It also provides a list of services available to young people with a drug problem.
Eastern Drug & Alcohol Service
Ph: 9803 0300
Kids Helpline: www.kidshelp.com.au
A 24 hour telephone and online counseling service for children and young people in Australia. Ph: 1800 55 1800
Lifeline: www.lifeline.org.au
A telephone counseling service in Australia. Ph: 13 11 14
Quit Victoria: www.quit.org.au
The Victorian anti-tobacco campaign website. It lists information about tobacco use and how to quit.
For more info call Monash Youth & Family Services on 9518 3900.
Reviewed: 10 December 2008
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