SCHOOL EDUCATION

All Limestone Coast secondary schools are being encouraged to implement the evidence-based alcohol and other drug (AOD) education program Our Futures. Find out more information at ourfutures.education

The full program is now free for use until the end of 2022.

Researchers from the University’s of New South Wales and Sydney have found that the Our Futures courses improve student outcomes by:

  • Reducing alcohol consumption and binge-drinking;
  • Reducing cannabis and ecstasy use;
  • Slowing the progression of anxiety symptoms;
  • Reducing psychological distress;
  • Reducing harms related to the use of alcohol and ecstasy;
  • Reducing intentions to use ecstasy and psychostimulants, new psychoactive substances, emerging drugs and cannabis;
  • Increasing knowledge about alcohol and cannabis, ecstasy and new psychoactive drugs and emerging drugs; and;
  • Improving attitudes towards alcohol.
     

Students and teachers have also rated the programs positively.
Feedback has shown:

  • 93 per cent of students found the cartoon stories an enjoyable and interesting way to learn;
  • 93 per cent of students thought the information in the program was easy to understand, to learn and to remember;
  • 95 per cent of teachers rated the educational quality of the program highly; and,
  • 88 per cent of teachers rated the program as better than other drug and alcohol education programs.

For more information on Our Futures, visit ourfutures.education and if you are interested in implementing the program into your school, contact SMLC Project Officer Sophie Bourchier via the Contact Us page.