Strong police presence expected at Leavers Week celebrations

THERE will be a strong police presence at designated Leavers Zones when Leavers Week 2015 celebrations kick off next Monday.

Thousands of school leavers are expected to celebrate Leavers Week 2015 from November 23 in Dunsborough and on Rottnest Island.

Approximately 8000 students are expected to visit the Dunsborough area and 1000 are expected to head to Rottnest Island.

Additional police will be heading there along with the students, including traffic officers, dog handlers for drug detection, water police and local policing officers.

Commander Jon Tuttle said that while there is a strong police presence, the focus of this activity will be on the Leavers enjoying their transition from being school students to young adults.

“One important message we always have for Leavers is to look after yourself, and look after your mates,” he said.

“This should be a time in your life that you can look back on with good memories, not regrets.”

Cr Tuttle added that parents have an important role to play both in the lead up to, and during Leavers week.

“We know that there will be many Leavers who will consider drinking alcohol or using illicit drugs for the first time, and parents need to be on the front foot and have the important discussion about the dangers associated with that,” he said.

“I encourage parents to keep in touch with their son or daughter during the week and to make sure they are okay.”

This year a Leavers WA app for mobile phones has been developed with the aim of providing a convenient way for leavers to get all the information they need to have a safe and enjoyable time.

The app is available for download free of charge from the iTunes and Google Play stores.

Check out the eastern suburbs students leading the way in alcohol awareness among their peers ahead of leavers week here..

Leavers and parents can get more information on Leavers Week 2015 here.