Alcohol Education in an Indigenous Community School in Queensland, Australia

Abstract

The alcohol education package 'When You Think About It' was developed by the Queensland Department of Education in co-operation with an Aboriginal community in the Northern region of the State. The community identified a number of behaviours and issues that needed to be addressed and a systematic series of lessons with an associated community video was developed. The package was taught for the first time in the community high school in 1990, and research was undertaken to monitor implementation and impact. Students were surveyed prior to and after the package was taught; and information regarding teaching experience, opinions on alcohol education, and feedback on the students' enjoyment of and interest in the lessons were sought from the teachers. Interviews were held with community members at the completion of the teaching program to ascertain their reactions. Absentee rates were between 20–30% for each lesson and only 22 students completed both questionnaires and attended five lessons. The small sample size meant that statistical tests to measure the effectiveness of the educational package were not appropriate. The qualitative information obtained from all sources indicated that the video and associated role play lessons were highly acceptable to the students. Action-orientated, community-based resources and group activities were well received. To meet the issue of high rates of absenteeism, programs should limit their focus and reinforce it in a wide variety of media and across a number of occasions.