FAQ

FAQ for General

Do you have a question not answered here? Please contact us about what you want to see here.

• Q: Who is Positive Choices for?

  Positive Choices is an online portal to help school communities access evidence-based, up-to-date alcohol and other drug education resources and prevention programs. The portal is free to access and is available 24/7, anywhere in Australia. The portal provides resources for school staff, parents and families, and youth/students. The portal also provides tailored information for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  

  For more information about Positive Choices, visit About Positive Choices. 

• Q: Who was involved in developing Positive Choices?

  Positive Choices is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and was developed and maintained by the Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, the University of Sydney. Positive Choices is an online portal providing trusted, evidence-based, and up-to-date information and resources about drug education and prevention for school staff, parents and families, and students. 

  See About Us for more information including the community and expert input into development of Positive Choices. See About this resource portal for information on the development of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples portal.

• Q: What are the benefits of Positive Choices? Should I trust Positive Choices?

  As of April 2025, the Positive Choices portal and resources had been accessed by over 4.4 million unique users, spanning 221 different countries. Over 350,000 hard copy resources have been distributed to >3,000 schools across Australia. 

  The impact of Positive Choices on user behaviour has been examined in multiple evaluations. The most recent study, published in a 2022 paper, reported results from a small sub-sample of Australian school staff (n = 73) and parents (n = 127). The findings showed changes in behavioural intentions after interacting with Positive Choices. 

  School Staff: 

  • 89% (34/38) of those who were not already implementing evidence-based alcohol and other drug (AOD) prevention resources intended to after using Positive Choices. 

  • 90% (19/21) of school staff who were not already communicating the risks and effects of AOD to their students planned to start. 

  • 81% (17/21) of school staff who were not already correcting student misperceptions about AOD use intended to commence this after viewing the Positive Choices website. 

  Parents: 

  • 92% (36/39) of those who were not already having explicit conversations about AOD with their children planned to do so after using Positive Choices. 

  • 83% (39/47) of parents who were not already correcting misconceptions about AOD use not being the norm planned to implement this after using Positive Choices. 

  • 86% (39/47) of parents who were not already doing so reported that they will monitor their children’s whereabouts more closely. Most parents in the survey were already avoiding supplying alcohol to their children (103/127, 81.1%). Of those who were not doing this, 38% (9/24) reported that they would avoid supplying alcohol after viewing resources on Positive Choices. 

  • Most parents reported that they have already adapted their own AOD use to model appropriate behaviour for their children (87/127, 68.5%), and of the remaining parents, 45% (18/40) planned to modify their behaviour after using Positive Choices. 

  Positive Choices is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has been endorsed by alcohol and other drug and education bodies: Endorsements and Affiliated Networks.

  Positive Choices is led by a multidisciplinary team at the Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use who are leaders in translational research and implementation. Positive Choices has achieved extraordinary reach and impact since launch and received >3 awards in recognition of knowledge dissemination, excellence and innovation in mental health service delivery. See About Us for more information including the community and expert input into development of Positive Choices. See About this resource portal for information on the development of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples portal. 

  Sources: 

  1. Google Analytics Report, retrieved  08/05/25.
  2. Stapinski, L. A., Nepal, S., Guckel, T., Grummitt, L. R., Chapman, C., Lynch, S. J., Lawler, S. M., Teesson, M., & Newton, N. C. (2022). Evaluation of Positive Choices, a National Initiative to Disseminate Evidence-Based Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention Strategies: Web-Based Survey Study. JMIR pediatrics and parenting, 5(3), e34721. https://doi.org/10.2196/34721
• Q: What do the evidence ratings mean?

  To help you evaluate the resources listed on the Positive Choices portal, we provide information about who developed the resources (under "Developers"), and the evidence that supports the resource (under "Evidence Base"). This information will help you to assess the strength of the evidence supporting the resource.

  We also provide our own “Evidence Rating” as a shortcut. The guide to the evidence ratings and icons is provided below:

  Medal icons indicate that there is evidence (either from research or peer review) to support the resource. Resources with the strongest evidence rating (platinum medal) are those with the most evidence to support their effectiveness.

  
  Platinum medal: This resource has been tested in schools and shown to change student’s alcohol and drug use behaviour and/or associated harm^[1]. This is supported by multiple randomised controlled trials. A systematic review across multiple programs has concluded there is good evidence of program effectiveness.

  
  Gold medal: This resource has been tested in schools and shown to change student’s alcohol and drug use behaviour and/or associated harm^[1]. This is supported by multiple (2+) published research studies.

  
  Silver medal: This resource has been tested in schools and shown to change student’s drug use behaviour and/or associated harm^[1]. This is supported by only 1 published research study.

  
  Bronze medal (factsheet): This factsheet was informed by the current research and has undergone expert review. Bronze is the highest possible rating for a factsheet, because it provides information but doesn’t directly target alcohol and drug use behaviour and/or associated harm. However, applying the strategies and advice in this factsheet may lead to changes in teenagers’ alcohol and drug use behaviour and/or associated harm. To learn more about changing behaviour check out  our recommended programs and School-based drug and alcohol prevention: What works?

  Bronze medal (resource): This resource has undergone expert review in-house at the Matilda Centre, University of Sydney. The resource has been informed by evidence but has not been evaluated in a research trial to test whether the resource itself impacts on alcohol and drug use behaviour and/or associated harm. To learn more about changing behaviour check out our recommended programs and School-based drug and alcohol prevention: What works?

  ^{[1] This can include increased knowledge.}

• Q: What does evidence-based mean?

  To say that a resource is “evidence-based” is to say that it is informed or supported by evidence. The evidence that supports or backs up a particular resource may take different forms.

  In the case of the factsheets listed on Positive Choices, “evidence-based” means that the information provided in these factsheets comes from a reliable information source, and is backed by research studies. For example, the "Party Drugs"/MDMA/Ecstasy factsheet was developed by a leading research institute (the Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, formerly the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use, at the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre). To develop the factsheet, researchers from this institute conducted a review of published research studies reporting on the patterns of use, effects and harms associated with the drug, ecstasy. This means we can be confident that the information is fact-based and accurate. 

  In the case of a school-based prevention program, “evidence-based” typically means that the benefits of the program have been tested in a research study. For example, the OurFutures: Alcohol & Cannabis Module is an evidence-based prevention program, because it has been tested and shown to have benefits in a randomised controlled trial. A randomised controlled trial is a study in which roughly half of the participants are randomly allocated to receive the program being tested (in this case, OurFutures), and the others are randomly allocated to receive a comparison program (in this case, standard drug education for NSW schools). By randomly allocating participants and comparing different approaches, this type of study design provides strong evidence. In this example we can say that OurFutures is an evidence-based program because students who received the program drank less and used cannabis less over the follow-up period compared to students who received standard drug education.

  The evidence-base for resources is important, as this helps us to judge how reliable and effective the resource is. Not all information on the internet is reliable and accurate. To help you evaluate the resources listed on the Positive Choices portal, we provide information about who developed the resources (under "Developers"), and the evidence that supports the resource (under "Evidence Base"). We also provide an “Evidence Rating” as a shortcut to help users assess the strength of the evidence supporting each resource.

  For more about the use of evidence-based practice in Education, we recommend the following paper: Hempenstall, K. (2006). What does evidence-based practice in education mean? Australian Journal of Learning Disabilities, 11, 83-92.

• Q: How were resources selected for inclusion?

  The general process for selecting resources to be included in Positive Choices was as follows:

  1. A review of the research literature was conducted to identify potential resources. The Cochrane Library, Scopus, PsychINFO, PubMed and Medline databases were searched using specific keywords (e.g., School-based OR school* AND alcohol OR cannabis OR drugs OR ecstasy OR psychostimulants OR amphetamines). 
  2. Additional resources were identified through web searches using specific keywords (e.g., 'alcohol OR drug OR cannabis OR ecstasy’, AND ‘prevention OR education OR schools'), and scoping of national and international drug prevention sites and networks.
  3. Resources were independently reviewed by our team, and via consultation with teachers, parents and students, who provided feedback about the Positive Choices site and content.
  4. Only resources of high relevance and quality were selected for inclusion. For these resources, additional searches were conducted to collate the information required for listing on the portal. In cases where sufficient information could not be obtained, additional information was requested from the developers of the resource.

  Additional notes regarding selection of specific resource types are provided below:

  Recommended Programs:

  Drug prevention programs were identified through review of research publications. Programs developed in Australia and internationally were considered for inclusion. However, international programs were only included if the resources could be accessed and implemented in Australia. Programs were only included if benefits of delivering the program were demonstrated in at least one published study. The starting point for selection of resources was two systematic reviews conducted by researchers at the Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use (formerly the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre):

  Champion, K. E., Newton, N. C., Barrett, E. L., & Teesson, M. (2013). A systematic review of school-based alcohol and other drug prevention programs facilitated by computers or the Internet. Drug and Alcohol Review, 32(2), 115-123.

  Teesson, M., Newton, N. C., & Barrett, E. L. (2012). Australian school-based prevention programs for alcohol and other drugs: A systematic review. Drug and Alcohol Review, 31(6), 731-736.

  Games:

  Selection of educational games was informed by the following systematic review conducted by researchers at the Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use (formerly the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre):

  Rodriguez, D. M., Teesson, M., & Newton, N. C. (2014). A systematic review of computerised serious educational games about alcohol and other drugs for adolescents. Drug and Alcohol Review, 33(2), 129-135

  Additional games were identified through web searches and literature review as described above. Games were excluded if they were not designed for play on a computer.

  Videos and Apps:

  In most cases, research-based evidence was not available for these types of resources. Independent review of the resource was conducted by researchers at the Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use (formerly the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre) who considered the accuracy of the information as well as the presentation style and quality. A written summary of this review is provided for each resource under "Evidence Base". 

• Q: Do I need to pay to use this site?

  No, the Positive Choices alcohol and other drug education portal is a free resource funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. It is designed to help students, parents, and teachers access accurate up-to-date drug information and prevention resources. 

  Some externally developed resources listed on Positive Choices have associated costs, which are detailed on the page. 

  A working internet connection is required to access the site. Time spent on the site and your data usage will depend on which resource you use (e.g. reading factsheets, watching webinars, downloading PDFs). Please keep this in mind when utilising resources.

• Q: What is the Australian National Drug Strategy?

  Positive Choices was funded in 2012 by the Australian Government Department of Health and developed to align with the Australian National Drug Strategy. On the 29^th May 2017, the Ministerial Drug and Alcohol Forum endorsed the next iteration of Australia’s National Drug Strategy. The aim of the 2017-2026 National Drug Strategy is to build safe, healthy and resilient Australian communities through preventing and minimising alcohol, tobacco and other drug-related health, social, cultural and economic harms among individuals, families and communities. The National Drug Strategy encompasses three pillars:

  • Demand Reduction: Preventing the uptake and/ or delaying the onset of use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs; reducing the misuse of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs in the community; and supporting people to recover from dependence through evidence informed treatment.

  • Supply Reduction: Preventing, stopping, disrupting or otherwise reducing the production and supply of illegal drugs; and controlling, managing and/or regulating the availability of legal drugs.

  • Harm Reduction: Reducing the adverse health, social and economic consequences of the use of drugs, for the user, their families and the wider community.

  By providing young people, their teachers and parents with drug information and prevention resources, Positive Choices is part of this broader strategy aimed at preventing and or delaying the uptake of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, and reducing the harm associated with these substances.

• Q: What are the icons for?

  Positive Choices is rich in information and resources so we have created a library of icons to give you a visual short-cut to the kind of information provided.

  If you have difficulty remembering what the icons stand for, remember that you can hover your mouse over the icons and a quick pop up balloon will tell you what it's for. Below is the list of icons with a brief explanation of their purpose:

  User Groups: User groups are the main audience types that this site caters for.

  • The Teacher user group is represented by a green silhouette of one person in front of a classroom board. Resources of this type are educational resources that can be used or adapted for the classroom.
  • The Parent user group is represented by a blue silhouette of three people. Resources of this type are informational resources for parents containing drug facts and guidance.
  • The Student user group is represented by an orange silhouette of one person in front of an open book. Resources of this type are educational resources designed for student use, with a focus on resources that are engaging and fun, such as videos, apps and games.

  
  Resource Types: Resources are categorised by type of information and media type.

  • Recommended programs contain a full program of drug and alcohol lessons designed for classroom delivery by teachers. All our recommended programs have demonstrated benefits in research evaluations.
  • Quick Activities are brief educational exercises that can be completed within the duration of one class.
  • Drugs A-Z contains information and facts related to particular drug types and classes. This information is updated regularly as new research evidence becomes available.
  • Factsheets contain information and facts informed by the latest research. These are available as a downloadable resource for all user types.
  • Videos contain educational content and can be used by teachers as classroom resources or by parents and students seeking information.
  • Games are a fun way for students and young people to learn about drugs and alcohol.
  • Apps are resources that can be downloaded to mobile devices.
  • Webinars are recorded online seminars that are held at scheduled dates. Some webinars include online user participation, and may require (free) registration. They provide up-to-date information for teachers, parents and students.

  Resources are also given an evidence rating based on the amount of research and evidence backing up that resource. These are given rating icons. For more information on this rating system and its icons, see the section under "What do the Evidence Ratings mean?"

• Q: Using search filters on this site

  There are a vast number of resources available on Positive Choices, so to help you sort through it, we've created a list of filters to help you simplify and narrow your search results. Search filters can be seen on the left hand column under the "Sort my search by" heading on search result pages, or when viewing a list of resources (e.g., Teacher Resources and Recommended Program Resources).

  To filter your search results, click to expand each search category. For example, if you wish to filter your results to only show cannabis-related resources, you would click to expand all filters under "Drug Type", and click the checkbox for "cannabis". Then click on the "Update" button to refine  your search.

  Note: If you wish to remove the filters from your search results, you would have to uncheck the box next to the appropriate filter and click on the "Update" button. 

  You can also view a quick and handy video on how to use the search filters.

  If you have a question that you can't find the answer to why not get in touch? Just go to our contact page to ask your question.

• Q: Is Positive Choices accessible?

  Positive Choices aims to provide an accessible website for all users. The Kanzi tool is available on all pages which provides language translation, speech to text, and accessibility tools such as font selection and light/dark contrast. For further information, please see Accessibility. 

• Q: Are there any safety concerns?

  Positive Choices is an online toolkit providing trusted, evidence-based, and up-to-date alcohol and other drug information and prevention resources for school staff, parents and families, and students (About Us). This website provides general information and should not be seen as a substitute for seeking professional advice. While care and consideration has been taken in the creation of material on this website, the University makes no representations, and accepts no responsibility, regarding the accuracy, completeness, reliability or suitability of the contents of this website. Users should make their own enquiries to verify the accuracy and suitability of the information.  

  If you have any concerns, you can contact Positive Choices via the contact form. 

  There are a number of services available, visit Where to get help for more information. 

• Q: What information do we collect about you?

  Our Privacy Statement outlines the details we collect when you use the site or provide your contact details. Use of personal information is limited to the purpose for which it was collected, unless the individual has provided express consent, or the use is otherwise authorised by law. All data handling practices are guided by the principles of transparency, necessity, and proportionality.  

  Disclosure of personal information by Positive Choices is governed by strict protocols to ensure compliance with privacy regulations and the protection of individuals' data. Personal information may only be disclosed under specific conditions and managed in accordance with the University of Sydney’s Privacy Procedures 2023. 

  Positive Choices does not ask for healthcare records or share information with My Health Record. 

• Q: Who can I contact with questions or concerns about Positive Choices?

  You can contact Positive Choices via our contact form. 

  If you have concerns about privacy please visit Privacy at the University for information about your reporting options. 

  Positive Choices is committed to supporting health consumers and making sure they know their healthcare rights. The Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights is about high quality and safe healthcare. It explains what you, or someone you are caring for, can expect when receiving health care. 

  Statement of Healthcare Rights: Click here to learn more about your healthcare rights 

  There are a number of services that can provide information, support and treatment for alcohol and other drug concerns. Visit where to get help for more information. 

• Q: Social media

  Positive Choices shares new resources and information via Facebook, X and Bluesky.  

  The Positive Choices team values your comments and contributions. While we welcome contributions to our social media accounts, we do not necessarily endorse the content of those contributions. We ask that you remain respectful and follow these simple house rules:  

  • Firstly, please comply with the platform’s terms of service e.g., Facebook Terms of Service (https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms) , Bluesky Terms of Service (https://bsky.social/about/support/tos), X Terms of Service (https://x.com/en/tos). 

  • Please keep your comments clean - no trolling, no abusive, bullying, threatening, defamatory, racist or discriminatory posts.  

  • Keep it appropriate i.e., no spamming or posting offensive or inappropriate posts.  

  • Take care. No posting of fraudulent, deceptive or misleading content that is in violation of copyright or any law or regulation.  

  We retain the right to hide, remove or edit comments that we feel are inappropriate, disrespectful to other users, or inconsistent with the values of Positive Choices. We retain the right to block a user from the page who acts in this way.  

  For your and others' safety, we will hide or delete comments that share identifying or distressing information. If you are distressed and in need of urgent assistance, please see where to get help. Please note, however, that we do not have the ability to monitor comments continuously or reply to all messages individually. If you have any questions relating to these guidelines, please contact us. 

• Q: Does Positive Choices provide clinical care or emergency support?

  Positive Choices does not provide counselling services, clinical care, diagnosis, treatment, or crisis support. For emergency support, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or dial 000 for the police or ambulance. For other support options visit where to get help. 

  The Positive Choices social media and email accounts are monitored Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. Queries received outside of these hours will not be attended to until the next business day.