SMS service launched by Australian Drug Foundation

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SMS service launched by Australian Drug Foundation

22 November 2012

The Australian Drug Foundation (ADF) is launching the "Get the effects by txt!" scheme to coincide with Schoolies week in the hope it will be used by young people.

The service works by sending a health and safety message listing the effects of a drug when a person texts that substance's name to 0439 TELL ME (0439 835 563).

Links to further information and a counselling service are also sent to the user's mobile phone.

"If you consider around 90 per cent of the Australian population over 14 years of age has a mobile phone, it made sense to introduce an SMS service that provides instant and credible drug information around the clock," said ADF's CEO John Rogerson.

"This confidential service will enable young people to look out for their mates, and will make it easy for parents to be informed.

"The Australian Drug Foundation firmly believes that better knowledge and understanding about drugs is a key way Australia can reduce risks to individuals and the community."

The ADF has compiled a database of more than 1200 variations of drug names, including slang terms.

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