OBJECTIVE: To establish the efficacy of an internet based prevention program to reduce alcohol and cannabis use in adolescents. METHOD: A cluster randomised controlled trial was conducted with 764 13-year olds from ten Australian secondary schools in 2007-2008. Half the schools were randomly allocated to the computerised prevention program (n=397), and half to their usual health classes (n=367). The Climate Schools: Alcohol and Cannabis prevention course is facilitated by the internet and consists of novel, evidence-based, curriculum consistent lessons aimed at reducing alcohol and cannabis use. Participants were assessed at baseline, immediately post, and at six months following the intervention. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, students in the intervention group showed significant improvements in alcohol and cannabis knowledge at the end of the course and the six month follow-up. In addition, the intervention group showed a reduction in average weekly alcohol consumption and frequency of cannabis use at the six month follow-up. No differences between groups were found on alcohol expectancies, cannabis attitudes, or alcohol and cannabis related harms. CONCLUSIONS: The course is acceptable, scalable and fidelity is assured. It increased knowledge regarding alcohol and cannabis, and decreased use of these drugs.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To establish the efficacy of an internet based prevention program to reduce alcohol and cannabis use in adolescents. METHOD: A cluster randomised controlled trial was conducted with 764 13-year olds from ten Australian secondary schools in 2007-2008. Half the schools were randomly allocated to the computerised prevention program (n=397), and half to their usual health classes (n=367). The Climate Schools: Alcohol and Cannabis prevention course is facilitated by the internet and consists of novel, evidence-based, curriculum consistent lessons aimed at reducing alcohol and cannabis use. Participants were assessed at baseline, immediately post, and at six months following the intervention. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, students in the intervention group showed significant improvements in alcohol and cannabis knowledge at the end of the course and the six month follow-up. In addition, the intervention group showed a reduction in average weekly alcohol consumption and frequency of cannabis use at the six month follow-up. No differences between groups were found on alcohol expectancies, cannabis attitudes, or alcohol and cannabis related harms. CONCLUSIONS: The course is acceptable, scalable and fidelity is assured. It increased knowledge regarding alcohol and cannabis, and decreased use of these drugs.
Authors: Dawn E Sugarman; Aimee N C Campbell; Brittany R Iles; Shelly F Greenfield Journal: Harv Rev Psychiatry Date: 2017 May/Jun Impact factor: 3.732
Authors: Angela White; David Kavanagh; Helen Stallman; Britt Klein; Frances Kay-Lambkin; Judy Proudfoot; Judy Drennan; Jason Connor; Amanda Baker; Emily Hines; Ross Young Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2010-12-19 Impact factor: 5.428
Authors: Wayne F Velicer; Colleen A Redding; Andrea L Paiva; Leanne M Mauriello; Bryan Blissmer; Karin Oatley; Kathryn S Meier; Steven F Babbin; Heather McGee; James O Prochaska; Caitlin Burditt; Anne C Fernandez Journal: Transl Behav Med Date: 2013-03 Impact factor: 3.046
Authors: Mieke Snijder; Lexine Stapinski; James Ward; Briana Lees; Cath Chapman; Katrina Champion; Michael Doyle; Ian Watson; Rachael Sarra; Amanda Lear; Sophia Garlick Bock; Maree Teesson; Nicola Newton Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-02-23 Impact factor: 3.390