Webinar: School based, culturally inclusive alcohol and other drug prevention for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth

The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use at the University of Sydney.

1 hour webinar recording and handout, available on demand.

This webinar is for school staff and parents who are interested in learning about effective alcohol and other drug prevention among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth. The webinar will provide an overview of the Strong & Deadly Futures program, which was developed in partnership with schools, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth and leading experts in Aboriginal health and wellbeing promotion. 

Computerised prevention programs delivered in secondary schools have been found to be effective for non-Indigenous students in Australia and internationally. These approaches hold promise for Aboriginal youth given their high rates of technology use and the potential for wide reach and sustainability. The Strong & Deadly Futures program is a computerised wellbeing and alcohol and other drug prevention program that was developed to be culturally-inclusive and incorporate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural strengths. This webinar will overview the program and development process, and provide information for schools and communities about how to get involved, access the program and give feedback to inform the next phase of development.

This webinar will provide:

• Understanding about factors that protect against alcohol and other drug use.
• Information about the key components of effective alcohol and other drug prevention for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth.
• An overview of the Strong & Deadly Futures program, including the development process.
• Information about how secondary schools can get involved, trial the program, and give feedback to inform the next phase of development.

This webinar was developed by Dr. Lexine Stapinski and Dr. Kylie Routledge at the Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney, and was informed by a review of the research evidence on this topic.

(Webinar conducted on 5/5/20).