What works in school based alcohol education: A systematic review

February 2016
Citation: 
Lee, N., Cameron, J., Battams, S., & Roche, A.M.(2016). What works in school based alcohol education: A systematic review. Health Education Journal. Early Online View. doi: 10.1177/0017896915612227

Knowing which interventions are effective in the school setting to address problematic alcohol use is an issue of increasing interest. NCETA has undertaken a broad program of work over several years in this area that included consultations with public, private and catholic sector schools, and a systematic re view of published literature on intervention effectiveness in the school context. 

This NCETA program of work resulted in a detailed report, a brief 4 page summary brochure and a peer reviewed publication that identifies the level of effectiveness of all evaluated interventions. The recent publication by Lee, Cameron, Battams and Roche (2016) presents the most comprehensive review of school based alcohol interventions available to date. It reviewed 70 studies of 40 programs to determine whether evidence of positive effect had been established. The article identifies a limited number of programs that have clearly demonstrated effectiveness, a large number where the evidence is equivocal, and some programs that are not supported. It will be a valuable resource to all those with an interest in working with the school sector and addressing youth alcohol issues.

Systematic review of school-based intervention publications

Click on the citations below to download NCETA's findings from NCETA's systematic review of school-based interventions.