Effectiveness of schools-based life-skills and alcohol education programmes

16 September 2013

There is mixed evidence of the effectiveness of alcohol education and life-skills programmes.
The most substantial evidence was found in relation to pupils’ enhanced knowledge and understanding of alcohol-related issues.
There is a degree of evidence of the effectiveness of alcohol education and life-skills programmes in reducing the frequency of alcohol consumption and episodes of drunkenness among school-aged children.
There is limited evidence of programmes having a positive impact on school-aged children’s attitudes, decision-making abilities and confidence and assertiveness skills.
Very few studies investigate the cost benefits of programmes.

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Summary

Factors that help to facilitate the success of alcohol and life-skills programs include:

Adopting a good balance between knowledge building, skills development, and sensitivity to factors influencing student attitudes and behaviour
Giving careful consideration to pedagogy, so that it is age appropriate
Ensuring programmes are delivered by the right people with the right skills (such as expert professionals and/or specialist school staff) and, where possible, are interactive and open
Utilising and drawing on the support of parents/carers as protective agents for young people wherever possible.

People Children Young people Preventing alcohol harms Education and schools