SENIOR high school students could be made to visit hospital emergency rooms as part of a state government plan to prevent violence and drug-related injuries.
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Premier Denis Napthine announced an expansion of a drug awareness program into regional Victoria during his visit to Bendigo on Friday.
Up to 500 students from places including Bendigo and Ballarat could spend an entire day in Bendigo hospital, the Royal Melbourne Hospital or The Alfred hospital as part of the program.
Dr Napthine said it would discourage young people from taking part in risky behaviour.
"They would visit emergency departments, wards, so they see first-hand for themselves the direct result of the abuse of alcohol and drugs," he said.
"There is no doubt ice, drugs and alcohol put lives at risk.
"It's important that young people see first-hand the problems that can occur to help them better understand why they should say no to the abuse of alcohol and the taking of drugs."
The program, known as Prevent Alcohol and Risk-related Trauma (P.A.R.T.Y.), currently only operates in Melbourne.
