Internet‐based prevention for alcohol and cannabis use: final results of the Climate Schools course

Abstract

Internet-based prevention programs for school-age children can improve student's knowledge about alcohol and cannabis, and may also reduce alcohol use twelve months after completion.

Prevention of alcohol and other drug use and related harm in the digital age

“…There were no differences between the groups for binge drinking, cannabis use or cannabis intentions. Another study [25] reported the secondary effects of the Climate Schools course, using data from the original RCT of the program in 10 Sydney schools (n ¼ 764, M age ¼ 13.1 years) [33,34]. Results revealed that the Climate Schools: Alcohol and Cannabis course was effective in reducing truancy, psychological distress and moral disengagement for up to 12 months.…”

A critique of Fox's industry‐funded report into the drivers of anti‐social behaviour in the night‐time economies of Australia and New Zealand

“…Some studies show small beneficial effects [54][55][56][57], but results are not maintained and do not appear to generalise. Contrary to Fox's recommendation, these findings suggest that school-based approaches are delivering little in terms of preventing alcohol-related harm.…”

Developing the Climate Schools: Ecstasy Module—A Universal Internet-Based Drug Prevention Program

“…Specifically, the Climate Schools: Alcohol Module was successful in increasing knowledge of harm minimization skills for alcohol use, decreasing pro alcohol attitudes, reducing average alcohol consumption, and reducing frequency of binge drinking and related harms in young people (Vogl et al 2009;Newton et al 2009b). The Climate Schools: Alcohol and Cannabis Module added further to this by successfully increasing cannabis-related knowledge, and decreasing the frequency of cannabis use in young people (Newton et al 2010(Newton et al , 2009b. Importantly, these programs have not only demonstrated success in reducing drug use, but have also been rated by teachers and students to be superior and more enjoyable than other drug prevention programs.…”