Melbourne students were visiting a nightclub to learn about alcohol and drug abuse

Melbourne students were visiting a nightclub to learn about alcohol and drug abuse

THIS is one education program the state department thinks student’s don’t need.

A controversial school excursion to a nightclub has been axed by the Department of Education.

AlcoCups teamed up with Chasers, a Melbourne hotspot for clubbers, to give school students a behind-the-scenes look at what they can expect when they turn 18.

The Herald Sun reported university academics criticised the idea, claiming it would promote the late-night venue to children.

However AlcoCups founder and drug educator Ashley Gurney said informing youngsters about the dangers of drugs and alcohol would be more engaging inside the club.

“We were not doing it during the nightclub’s opening hours — we were putting kids in a unique environment so the message sinks in,” he said.

Wallan Secondary College was going to be the first school to test out the education program within the club before the education department pulled the pin.

A Department of Education spokesman told The Herald Sun they did not deem the nightclub as an “appropriate” venue to educate school students.

Mr Gurney has spent more than five years educating youngsters about the dangers of drugs and alcohol and believed a “party” environment would be beneficial.

“I think it’s more relatable and it makes them more aware of what can happen,” he said.

“They are going to ask questions and are better able to picture the scenarios.”

During Mr Gurney’s education sessions, he gives students beer goggles so they can understand the dangers of being drunk.

The goggles show students what it feels like to have a blood alcohol concentration of as high as 0.25.

“Being in the nightclub kids can try them on and walk up and down the stairs or write a text message and easily see how much more vulnerable they can become,” Mr Gurney said.

The drug educator believed it was vital for information to be drilled into children as he had experience helping people on the streets addicted to drugs and alcohol.

“I never met a drug or alcohol addict who wanted to do what they were doing,” Mr Gurney said.

“They never put their hand up and said that was their goal.”