Update the 2004 Principles for School Drug Education

Investigators: Prof Dan Lubman, Prof Jacqueline Bowden, Prof John Toumbourou, A/Prof Christine Groves, A/Prof Deana Leahy, Dr Ali Cheetham, Dr Bosco Rowland

Funder: NSW Ministry of Health.

The National Principles of Drug Education provide a foundation for classroom-based drug education that is evidence-based, aligns with international best practice, and is consistent with whole-of-government priorities to enhance prevention and uphold principles of harm minimisation. Changing trends in adolescent substance use as well as the social and technological environment necessitates an update of the evidence base supporting the 2004 Principles, however it is equally important that schools are provided with guidance to help bridge the gap between research and practice.

This project consists of two phases: (1) A systematic review of reviews examining the evidence base underpinning the 2004 Principles of Drug Education, and a scoping review of implementation strategies to facilitate uptake, use, and sustainment of evidence-based drug education in schools; and (2) Development of a school-based resource and implementation guide, informed by Phase 1 in addition to a national survey of key stakeholders and series of co-design workshops.

This project is a collaboration between Turning Point, Monash University, NCETA, Deakin University, and RMIT.