What is SAM? save-a-mate (SAM) develops young people's skills to look after themselves and provide support to their peers by delivering education, training, first aid services and support on health issues, particularly relating to alcohol and other drug use and mental health. How does SAM work? SAM has three major areas: 1. Education and training 2. Festivals and events 3. Health promotion and advocacy

Staff in SAM-safe clubs are trained to respond to alcohol and other drug-related emergencies

1. SAM education and training

SAM training courses are for young people and those that work with or care for them. Courses include:

• The SAM Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Emergencies Course -- preventing, recognising and responding to emergencies resulting from alcohol and other drug use, including first aid training.
• Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Peer Education -- develops the skills and knowledge of young people to provide support to their peers on these issues whilst aiming to prevent the uptake of harmful behaviours.
• Mental Health Peer Education (Talk Out Loud) -- assists young people to educate and support their peers on these issues; explores co-morbidity, seeks to reduce stigma and encourages professional assistance seeking (delivered in partnership with beyond blue, the national depression initiative).
  More about Talk Out Loud.
• SAM 'Our Way' -- a peer education training and support program focusing on indigenous communities in remote locations.

2. SAM festivals and events

Youth volunteers attend festivals and events to provide health related services for their peers. There are two major areas:

• First Aid units made up of trained young people provide first aid services at youth focused events (such as music festivals) and promote health and service referral information.
• SAM Crew encourages 'safer celebrating' through health promotion and peer education. The 'Crew' facilitate a stall and roves through festivals. 

3. SAM health promotion and advocacy

SAM uses public relations, a website (www.redcross.org.au/sam) and activities with peers to promote healthy behaviours. The SAM team are also involved with advocacy including participation on steering and advisory bodies, through relationships with decision-makers and stakeholders and through the course of our service delivery. 


ClubSAM

ClubSAM is a website especially for young people. It provides information about alcohol and other drugs and the save-a-mate program.


To participate in the SAM program...

SAM is currently operating in QLD, NSW, SA, ACT and NT, and shortly to commence in other states.

If you would like to participate in SAM or become a volunteer, please contact us via the SAM enquiries form and we will provide information specific to your area.