Professor Lexine Stapinski
The Matilda Centre, University of SydneyPresenting at the Melbourne MHIS Conference
Presentation: Strong & Deadly Futures: School-based alcohol and drug prevention in collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
Alcohol and other drug use are among the leading causes of poor health and death among young people. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth are disproportionately affected due to the historical and ongoing impacts of colonisation and disempowerment. Skills-focused prevention programs delivered in schools have proven an effective strategy for preventing uptake and harm associated with alcohol and drug use. However, there are unique contexts and factors relating to alcohol and drug use among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth that require prevention programs to be adapted so that they are culturally relevant and effective for these youth.
This presentation will outline evidence about the individual, relationship, community, societal and cultural factors that contribute to and protect against drug use among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth. It will provide attendees with an overview of current evidence about strategies that are most effective in addressing these factors and preventing alcohol and drug use. Finally, it will introduce the Strong & Deadly Futures program, a culturally inclusive school-based program that has been developed with input from 26 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia. This program, which schools can enrol to implement in 2025, will fill a critical gap in school-based alcohol and drug education efforts by providing an empowering, strengths-based approach tailored for culturally and geographically diverse classrooms.
Professor Lexine Stapinski
Dr Lexine Stapinski is a Clinical Psychologist, Associate Professor and Lead in Intervention and Implementation at the Matilda Centre, University of Sydney. Her research focuses on understanding how alcohol and substance use disorders develop, and how we can intervene early to prevent escalation. She brings 15 years’ experience developing, evaluating and translating mental health interventions, has produced over 100 peer-reviewed papers and has been recognized by 17 research excellence/impact awards. Since 2016, she has worked in partnership with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities and youth to develop Strong and Deadly Futures, a culturally-inclusive wellbeing and alcohol/drug prevention program for schools.