How does SAM work?
Three aims of SAM:
1. Alcohol and other drug emergency response training courses
2. Pubs, clubs and venue initiative
3. Peer Education Team
1. Alcohol and other drug emergency response training courses
On successful completion of the course, participants receive an accredited CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation) certificate. This is nationally recognised and valid for 12 months.
What the course includes?
Alcohol and other drug session
Substances and their effects
Incidence of drug taking in Australia
The classification of drugs by their effects
Early warning signs of a potential emergency
Signs and symptoms of substance use emergencies
Risk factors for overdose or emergencies
Harm reduction strategies
First aid session
What is First aid
How to deal with emergency services
Emergency action principles
Infection control procedures
Legal considerations
How to respond to:
Dehydration / overheating
Panic attacks
Drink spiking
Fitting (convulsions)
Semi-conscious and unconsciousness
Expired Air Resuscitation (EAR)
Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Who do we train?
Youth at risk
Rural and remote youth
CALD (Culturally and linguistically diverse groups)
Inmates in juvenile justice and young offenders
High school groups
Agency workers
General community members
Pubs, clubs and venue staff (See below)
How much does SAM cost?
General public, workers and venue staff: $65 per participant
Workers of non-profit organisations: $45 per participant
* Significant discounts can be arranged for ‘at-risk’ and other young people. Please call to enquire about this.
(A standard first aid CPR course provided by another organisation with no drug & alcohol education component costs around $65 per participant.)
To find out more, or book a course, please contact the SAM Coordinator on phone 02 9229 4277 or email nswsam@redcross.org.au
2. Pubs, clubs and venue initiative
Entertainment venues are the frontline of the party scene and patrons are often involved in substance use. A SAM safe club is a venue that has taken on its community responsibility to provide a safe partying environment for its patrons.
Staff are trained in how to response to alcohol and other drug-related emergencies.
SAM safe clubs also help to promote community health messages to its patrons by displaying posters and postcards supplied by Australian Red Cross.
Standard first-aid courses will provide general skills for your staff. However, they will rarely touch on alcohol and other drug-related emergencies. SAM provides industry relevant first-aid skills to your staff.
SAM safe clubs package includes:
a drug awareness and accredited CPR training course conducted to meet the specific needs of your staff (A standard CPR course is worth $65 a head);
a ‘SAM safer club’ plaque to display in your bar;
posters that explain your involvement in SAM and what that means for your patron;
posters, postcards and other resources with community health promotion messages for the general public;
an advertisement of your venue on the SAM website, championing your club as a responsible venue. This includes a link to your website;
promotion of upcoming events at your club in our Youth Forum Gig guide.
