Climate Schools: Ecstasy Module

NDARC Staff

Nicola Newton & Maree Teesson

Other Investigators

Gavin Andrews

Aims

To develop and evaluate the effectiveness of an evidence-based, computer-driven, prevention program for the prevention of ecstasy use and related harms.

Design and Method

The development process: The CLIMATE Schools: Ecstasy module will be evidence-based and developed in collaboration with secondary school teachers, students and experts in the area of ecstasy. In line with current evidence, the content of the program will (1) provide information regarding short and long term legal, social and health consequences of using these drugs, (2) challenge students perception of inflated peer drug use and hence peer acceptability by presenting students with conservative drug use norms, (3) build resistance and harm minimization skills and (4) teach skills for dealing with a drug related emergency.

Initially, the research team will consult with teachers and education officials with regard to how best this program could be developed to be implemented within the senior years of secondary schools where time is short and the focus is predominantly academic. Cartoon scripts will then be developed to incorporate the proposed content within the context of an interactive teenage drama. This drama will become the primary subject of the initial focus groups for teachers, students and ecstasy experts. The research team will incorporate suggested changes from these groups. The second stage of the development process will involve the production of the teacher manual which will incorporate varied classroom activities. These activities will be developed to ensure optimal peer involvement and interactive classroom sessions rather than promoting ineffective didactic teaching methods. This manual and the cartoons will then be subjected to a second round of focus group review, again involving secondary school teachers, students and ecstasy experts. Feedback will subsequently be incorporated and the module finalised, ready for evaluation. This methodology replicates the successful development of the previous CLIMATE Schools drug prevention modules which have been devised and implemented by NDARC.

Progress

Ethics submitted

Funding

Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing