Mid North Coast Police District has identified heroin usage as a growing issue locally.

Senior Constable Steven Jeffery said the school awareness workshops is one of the target preventative approaches being rolled out by the police to combat the issue.

"In September last year, area health services along with Superintendent Paul Fehon sat down and discussed strategies to try and deal with the rise of heroin being found on streets across the Mid North Coast," Snr Cst Jeffery said.

"Within three weeks of that meeting we were delivering this presentation in schools starting in Nambucca moving down through Kempsey and now we are talking to students in Port Macquarie.

"It is about educating students on the dangers of taking drugs, but also explaining the consequences legally, socially and emotionally."

He said while young people are prone to engaging in risky behaviour, being able to talk directly to students was a good thing.

"Young people take risks but the consequences can, and are, much greater when drugs or alcohol are involved.

"Young people and drugs is not something we can sweep under the carpet and so we are taking a very deliberate step by coming out and talking to them directly."

Hastings Secondary College Westport Campus students Elliott Francis and Imala Smith said the talk was particularly pertinent given young people are being exposed to drugs on a regular basis.

"It is not just our school but students at all schools are being exposed to drugs. A talk like this is really important for students to realise the massive consequences drugs can have on someone's life," Imala said.

"Addiction is not just drugs but it can be alcohol as well and unfortunately young people might turn to drugs or alcohol when things go bad for them.

"The talk was really good because it showed us what could happen but also the places to go to get help."

Students in years 9-12 at the Westport Campus listened to the talk today and will be backed up with students from Hastings Secondary College Port Macquarie Campus next week. 

By the middle of March more than 2500 Mid North Coast students will have listened to the drug awareness presentation.

Elliot said that while he knew a lot of the information, the talk gave him a better understanding of the consequences of taking drugs.

"I did know a lot of the information already but it was eye-opening to hear the more specific details that were talked about," Elliot said.

"It was interesting to learn about how addiction can change a person and the long term consequences. We also learned about the research that is currently being done with addiction patients to help them become more stable."

Both students said that in this day and age more could be done to help students.

"I think there is a general feel among students that lots of schools aren't doing enough to help students and the perception or reputation of a school is more important," Elliot said.

"It is not just our school but students who do drugs are more likely to do them outside of school and then peer pressure others into doing it as well."

"Drugs are out there and lots of young people think it is cool to take them so a talk like this one adds some reality to the situation," Amala said.

While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Port Macquarie News. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, SIGN UP HERE.