The OurFutures programs have been rigorously evaluated across 8 large cluster randomised controlled trials in Australia (with 240 schools, >21,000 students, and up to 7-year follow-up), and a pilot trial in the UK. Compared to health education as usual, students who received the OurFutures programs showed reduced alcohol consumption and binge drinking, reduced cannabis and MDMA use, reduced intentions to use substances, reduced harms from substance use, reduced psychological distress, slowed progression of anxiety symptoms, and improved knowledge about mental health and alcohol and other drugs for up to 7-years following the interventions.
For more clarity on what it means to be evidence-based, read our article: Behind the research: What does “evidence-based” really mean?
Here is a short summary of the evidence and outcomes behind each of our programs:
Alcohol Module
Platinum Evidence Rating from Positive Choices
The OurFutures Alcohol Module has been evaluated in two randomised controlled trials in Australia and demonstrated effectiveness in preventing the uptake and harmful use of alcohol, reducing harms related to alcohol, increasing alcohol-related knowledge and improving attitudes towards alcohol among Australian adolescents.
In addition, the benefits of the Alcohol Module when combined with the Alcohol & Cannabis Module have been demonstrated in five trials.
Alcohol and Cannabis Module
Platinum Evidence Rating from Positive Choices
The OurFutures Alcohol & Cannabis Module has been evaluated in five randomised controlled trials in Australia. When delivered with the OurFutures Alcohol Module students had increased knowledge about alcohol and cannabis, reduced cannabis use, reduced truancy, reduced psychological distress, slowed progression of anxiety symptoms when delivered with the OurFutures Mental Health Module, and reduced alcohol consumption and binge drinking (with effects sustained up to seven years later).
Cannabis and Psychostimulants Module
Silver Evidence Rating from Positive Choices
The OurFutures Cannabis & Psychostimulants Module has been evaluated in one randomised controlled trial in Australia. Proven student benefits of the program include increased knowledge about cannabis and psychostimulants, decreased pro-drug attitudes, reduced cannabis use in female students and reduced uptake and use of MDMA.
MDMA and Emerging Drugs Module
Gold Evidence Rating from Positive Choices
The OurFutures MDMA & Emerging Drugs Module has been evaluated in one randomised controlled trial in Australia, with demonstrated effectiveness in increasing knowledge about MDMA and new psychoactive substances as well as reducing intentions to use new psychoactive substances.
Mental Health Module
The OurFutures Mental Health Module has been evaluated in one randomised controlled trial in Australia, with demonstrated effectiveness in improving knowledge about mental health and slowing progression of anxiety symptoms when delivered with the OurFutures Alcohol & Cannabis Module.
Health4Life
The Health4Life Program has been evaluated in one randomised controlled trial in Australia, with demonstrated effectiveness in improving knowledge about the ‘Big 6’ (alcohol, tobacco, diet, sleep, screen-time and physical activity), reducing intentions to try alcohol and tobacco, and improving mental health outcomes.
Read more about the evidence and links to published papers behind each module here.
