A Cross-Validation Trial of the Internet-Based Climate Schools: Alcohol and Cannabis Course in Sydney, Australia

 

Introduction: This poster aims to present the preliminary findings from a cross-validation trial of the Climate Schools: Alcohol and Cannabiscourse, a school-based prevention program for alcohol and cannabis use in adolescents, delivered via the internet.

Method: A cluster randomised control trial was carried out in 13 schools across Sydney, Australia as part of the larger CAP intervention trial. Six schools were randomly allocated to the novel internet-based Climate Schoolsintervention where they received 12 interactive lessons on alcohol, cannabis, and related harms during Year 8 (13-14 years). Seven schools were allocated to the control group, where they received their usual health education over the year. Intervention and control groups were assessed at baseline and immediately after the intervention. Approximately 1105 students completed the baseline assessment (578 in intervention and 527 in control). The questionnaire assessed patterns and prevalence of alcohol and cannabis use, alcohol and cannabis related knowledge, attitudes towards alcohol and cannabis and harms associated with one’s own use of alcohol and cannabis.

Results: As students are currently completing the post-intervention assessment, pre-post effects are not yet available. All follow-up data will be available by mid-November and pre-post intervention effects will be reported in this poster.

Conclusions:  It is anticipated that results from the present study will support the internet-based Climate Schools program as an effective means of delivering alcohol and cannabis prevention.