The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) secured funding from the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing and ACT Health to investigate if peer-led interventions are able to educate ecstasy and related drugs (ERD) users about the specific risk of mixing ecstasy with other pharmaceuticals that stimulate serotonin production.  This research took place over the Australian summer of 2006/07 in four sites ¬ Sydney, Adelaide, the ACT and Amsterdam, the Netherlands.  The study received approval from the University of NSW Human Research Ethics Committee.   The Youth Coalition of the ACT coordinated the Canberra site. 

18 young people volunteered to work as peer educators for the project in the ACT.  They received training on alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, ecstasy and related drugs. From this training the peer educators generated drug related harm minimisation messages for their peers. Both NDARC and the peers reviewed the messages to ensure their accuracy. A fact sheet and drug information cards were also developed to share these harm minimisation messages with a broader audience of young people and youth services across the ACT.

Partnerships were formed with venues and promoters and event organizers, who generously supported the project to attend 6 events at the Australian National University, University of Canberra and Indyfest between December 2006 and March 2007.  The researchers and peers evaluated each event.

At these events, an information stall was set up and the peer educators provided information on a range of ERDs-related issues and safe partying. People visiting the stall were asked if they wanted to complete a questionnaire regarding the information they had received from the peer educators and any potential impact this may have on their future behaviour. A request for a three month follow-up interview was made. Those who agreed to be followed-up were contacted by phone over email and a second interview was conducted to identify if information had been retained and / or any behaviour change that may have eventuated as a result of the peer education.

The findings from this research will be available in September 2007.

Acknowledgements

For further information and resources:

National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre

Aims to conduct high quality research and related activities that increases the effectiveness of Australian and International treatment and other intervention responses to alcohol and other drug related harm.

http://ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au

AOD Harm Minimisation Messages By Young People for Young People

Factsheets coming soon

AOD Harm Minimisation Messages By Young People for Young People

Cards coming soon

Young People and Drug Education in the ACT:  Some Key Learnings

Report coming soon