School-based neuroscience program reduced substance use among older teens | Research

The takeaway

A neuroscience-based harm reduction program for 16- to 19-year-olds reduced binge drinking, cannabis use, MDMA use, nicotine use, and alcohol-related harms at 6-month follow-up.

Educators, parents, and public health professionals interested in adolescent substance use prevention.

65% reduction in early cannabis use onset (OR 0.35)

What the researchers found

Students who received the Illicit Project program were significantly less likely than controls to engage in weekly binge drinking (OR 0.56), early cannabis use (OR 0.35), risky cannabis use (OR 0.48), MDMA use (OR 0.16), and nicotine use (OR 0.59). They also had fewer alcohol-related harms and higher drug literacy.

Why it matters

Few evidence-based substance use prevention programs target older adolescents (16-19), the age when substance use typically escalates.

The numbers in context

950 students, 60% female, mean age 15.9. Cannabis early onset odds reduced by 65% (OR 0.35). MDMA use odds reduced by 84% (OR 0.16). Drug literacy scores increased by 2.44 points.

How the study worked

Cluster randomized controlled trial with 950 students (mean age 15.9) from 8 Australian secondary schools. Five schools received the intervention, three received standard health education. Self-report surveys at baseline and 6 months.

What this study cannot tell us

Only 6-month follow-up; durability unknown. Self-reported outcomes. Unequal cluster sizes (5 intervention vs 3 control schools). Australian context may limit generalizability.

How to read the evidence

Randomized controlled trial with a reasonable sample size, though limited by short follow-up and self-reported outcomes.

When this study was published

Published in 2022.

The bigger picture

The program uses neuroscience-based education rather than abstinence messaging, aligning with harm reduction approaches that may resonate better with older adolescents.

Questions still open

Do the reductions in substance use persist beyond 6 months? Would the program work in non-Australian school systems?

Common questions

What made this program different from typical drug education?

The Illicit Project uses neuroscience-based, harm reduction messaging rather than abstinence-only approaches, specifically targeting older adolescents (16-19) who are often overlooked by prevention programs.

Which substance showed the largest reduction?

MDMA use showed the largest reduction, with intervention students 84% less likely to use it compared to controls (OR 0.16).

Read the original research

Effectiveness of a neuroscience-based, harm reduction program for older adolescents: A cluster randomised controlled trial of the Illicit Project.

Preventive medicine reports, 26, 101706

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Debenham, Jennifer; Champion, Katrina; Birrell, Louise; Newton, Nicola. (2022). Effectiveness of a neuroscience-based, harm reduction program for older adolescents: A cluster randomised controlled trial of the Illicit Project.. Preventive medicine reports, 26, 101706. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2022.101706