Champion KE, Newton NC, Stapinski L, Slade T, Barrett EL, Teesson M (2015). A cross-validation trial of an Internet-based prevention program for alcohol and cannabis: Preliminary results from a cluster randomized controlled trial. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, Advance online publication. PMID: 25801662.
The authors conducted a cluster randomized trial to cross-validate results of previous studies of the CLIMATE Schools program, a program to prevent adolescent alcohol and cannabis use. Fourteen Australian secondary schools were randomly assigned to use the CLIMATE Schools program, or to continue providing usual health education. Students in these schools completed self-reported alcohol and cannabis use at baseline and at a 6-month follow-up. Teachers also provided feedback on the acceptability of the CLIMATE Schools program. Overall, both teachers and students were satisfied with CLIMATE Schools. Ninety-two percent of teachers reporting being willing to recommend the program to others. At 6 months, students receiving CLIMATE Schools had a 31% decrease in the odds of drinking alcohol at the 6-month follow-up when compared to students receiving usual health education. Additionally, students getting CLIMATE Schools also had significantly larger increases in their knowledge about alcohol and cannabis. The CLIMATE Schools program had less of an impact on cannabis use. Students receiving CLIMATE Schools reported similar rates of cannabis use to students receiving usual health education.