Strong & Deadly Futures: Co-designed Prevention for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Youth
Tracks
Conference Centre Room 2
| Tuesday, March 29, 2022 |
| 11:21 AM - 11:41 AM |
Overview
Dr Kylie Routledge & Ms Cheryl Ah-See, The University Of Sydney
Speaker
Ms Cheryl Ah-See
Indigenous Student Recruitment And Support Officer
The University of Sydney
Strong & Deadly Futures: Co-designed Prevention for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Youth
Abstract
Background: School-based prevention programs have proven effective in reducing alcohol and other drug (AOD) related harms; however, consultations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have identified a lack of evidence-based, culturally inclusive, substance-use prevention programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth. To address this, we co-developed Strong & Deadly Futures with an Indigenous creative design agency and 4 schools. Following a successful pilot, we are testing the program’s effectiveness in preventing alcohol and drug uptake in a large randomised controlled trial (RCT). The trial is preceded by a consultation and adaptation phase in partnership with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs).
Population: Year 7/8 students from 24 secondary schools across Australia.
Method: ACCHOs in participating locations will consult with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults and young people to obtain feedback on the program. Local input is expected to result in 4-6 regional adaptations of the program. Following the consultations, schools will trial Strong & Deadly Futures in a cluster RCT in 2022.
Results: Community consultations are underway. A challenge of this research will be integrating perspectives of diverse communities while maintaining program cohesion.
Conclusion: Strong & Deadly Futures supports implementation by combining core, standardised components with flexible activities to allow local tailoring of program content. If effective, Strong & Deadly Futures will provide a model for combining participatory research with rigorous evaluation.
Population: Year 7/8 students from 24 secondary schools across Australia.
Method: ACCHOs in participating locations will consult with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults and young people to obtain feedback on the program. Local input is expected to result in 4-6 regional adaptations of the program. Following the consultations, schools will trial Strong & Deadly Futures in a cluster RCT in 2022.
Results: Community consultations are underway. A challenge of this research will be integrating perspectives of diverse communities while maintaining program cohesion.
Conclusion: Strong & Deadly Futures supports implementation by combining core, standardised components with flexible activities to allow local tailoring of program content. If effective, Strong & Deadly Futures will provide a model for combining participatory research with rigorous evaluation.
Biography
Cheryl Ah-See is a Wiradjuri woman from Wellington NSW. She has a background in health and education and is currently employed at the University of Sydney, School of Rural Health in Dubbo as the Indigenous Student Recruitment and Support Officer. Cheryl is facilitating the consultations for Strong & Deadly Futures with her community.
Dr Kylie Routledge
Research Fellow
The University Of Sydney
Strong & Deadly Futures: Co-designed Prevention for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Youth
Abstract
Please see Cheryl Ah-See
Biography
Kylie Routledge is a Research Fellow with the Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use at the University of Sydney. She is leading a trial of a culturally inclusive school-based alcohol and drug prevention program, Strong & Deadly Futures. The program was co-designed with Aboriginal and non-Indigenous students and teachers, and is funded by NHMRC and the Australian Government Department of Health. Kylie is also involved with the Positive Choices – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander project, an online portal of culturally appropriate resources to prevent drug-related harms among young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
