OurFutures: Alcohol Module

OurFutures was developed by researchers currently based at the Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use at the University of Sydney, Australia, formerly based at the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), School of Psychiatry, and the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use at UNSW Sydney.

This curriculum-aligned online program is designed to be administered by teachers within classrooms. The program involves 6 x 45-minute lessons, each with two components:

• A 20-minute computer-based component.
• Teacher facilitated classroom activities.

No specialist teacher training is required. Booster sessions are also available.

The OurFutures: Alcohol Module was developed for 13-14 year olds and aims to prevent and reduce alcohol use and related harms. Designed to be implemented within the school health curriculum, OurFutures is based on a social influence approach to prevention and uses cartoon storylines to engage and maintain student interest and involvement.

Students follow six episodes of an online cartoon-based drama about teenagers and their experiences with alcohol. Through the storyline, students learn about underage drinking and the law, standard drink measurements, prevalence of drinking among 13-14 year olds, societal pressures to drink, short and long term consequences of drinking, drug refusal skills and how to respond in an alcohol-related medical emergency. Stop & Think activities are embedded in the cartoons and each episode ends with a short quiz to assess and consolidate learning. The class and homework activities are designed to reinforce the material taught in the cartoon and encourage students to apply the preventative messages and practice skills. Feedback indicates that teachers and students enjoy the program, and implementation within the classroom environment is highly feasible. 

Pricing is based on student enrolment numbers. Contact the OurFutures team for more information and pricing here.

• Increases alcohol knowledge
• Reduces alcohol consumption
• Reduces binge drinking.

The OurFutures program was evaluated, and the evidence was published, using the name Climate Schools. Benefits of the OurFutures: Alcohol Module have been demonstrated in Australia in two randomised control trials.
In addition, the benefits of the Alcohol Module when combined with the Alcohol & Cannabis Module have been demonstrated in five trials. (For details, see OurFutures: Alcohol & Cannabis Module).
The relevant studies are listed below. The OurFutures programs have also been endorsed by a number of organisations as listed below.