Effectiveness of a universal internet-based prevention program for ecstasy and new psychoactive substances a cluster randomized controlled trial.
To evaluate the effectiveness of an online school-based prevention program for ecstasy (MDMA) and new psychoactive substances (NPS). Cluster randomized controlled trial with two groups (intervention and control). Eleven secondary schools in Australia. A total of 1126 students (mean age 14.9 years). The internet-based Climate Schools Ecstasy and Emerging Drugs module uses cartoon storylines to convey information about harmful drug use. It was delivered once weekly, during a 4-week period, during health education classes. Control schools received health education as usual. Primary outcomes were self-reported intentions to use ecstasy and NPS at 12 months. Secondary outcomes were ecstasy and NPS knowledge and life-time use of ecstasy and NPS. Surveys were administered at baseline, post-intervention and 6 and 12 month post-baseline. At 12 months, the proportion of students likely to use NPS was significantly greater in the control group (1.8%) than the intervention group 0.5% odds ratio (OR) 10.17, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.31-78.91. However, students intentions to use ecstasy did not differ significantly between groups (control 2.1%, intervention 1.6% OR 5.91, 95% CI 1.01-34.73). There was a significant group difference in the change from baseline to post-test for NPS knowledge (β -0.42, 95% CI -0.62 to -0.21, Cohens d 0.77), with controls mean 2.78, standard deviation (SD 1.48 scoring lower than intervention students (mean 3.85, SD 1.49). There was also evidence of a significant group difference in ecstasy knowledge at post-test (control mean 9.57, SD 3.31 intervention mean 11.57, SD 3.61 β -0.54, 95% CI -0.97 to -0.12, P 0.01, d 0.73). The Climate Schools Ecstasy and Emerging Drugs module, a universal online school-based prevention program, appeared to reduce students intentions to use new psychoactive substances and increased knowledge about ecstasy and new psychoactive substances in the short term.