Strong and Deadly Futures: Co-Development of a Web-Based Wellbeing and Substance Use Prevention Program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Non-Aboriginal Adolescents

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 and Nicola Newton
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Mieke Snijder: The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
Lexine Stapinski: The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
James Ward: South Australia Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide 5000, Australia
Briana Lees: The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
Cath Chapman: The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
Katrina Champion: The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
Michael Doyle: Centre for Research Excellence in Indigenous Health and Alcohol, Discipline of Medicine, Central Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney 2050, Australia
Ian Watson: Gilimbaa, Indigenous Creative Agency, Brisbane 4101, Australia
Rachael Sarra: Gilimbaa, Indigenous Creative Agency, Brisbane 4101, Australia
Amanda Lear: Gilimbaa, Indigenous Creative Agency, Brisbane 4101, Australia
Sophia Garlick Bock: The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
Maree Teesson: The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
Nicola Newton: The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 4, 1-23

Abstract: School-based programs can effectively prevent substance use; however, systematic reviews and consultation with stakeholders identified a need for effective, culturally inclusive programs for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (hereafter Aboriginal) youth. This paper describes the development of Strong & Deadly Futures , a six-lesson, curriculum-aligned wellbeing and substance use prevention program that was designed for, and with, the Aboriginal youth. Formative reviews and consultation recommended that the program (i) combine effective components of mainstream prevention with cultural elements, highlighting Aboriginal cultural strengths; (ii) avoid stigma and celebrates the cultural diversity by catering to both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students; and (iii) use digital technology to enhance engagement, implementation and scalability. Guided by an Appreciative Inquiry approach, the program was developed in partnership with an Indigenous Creative Design Agency, and four schools in New South Wales and Queensland, Australia. Aboriginal ( n = 41) and non-Aboriginal students ( n = 36) described their role models, positive aspects of their community and reasons to avoid substance use; these formed the basis of an illustrated story which conveyed the key learning outcomes. Feedback from teachers, students and content experts supported the acceptability of the program, which will be evaluated in a subsequent randomised controlled trial.

Keywords: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander; prevention; alcohol; cannabis; tobacco; substance use; school-based program; universal prevention; wellbeing; harm minimisation; Indigenous (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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