The prevention of substance use, risk and harm in Australia: a review of the evidence

Abstract

As a contribution to the development of a National Prevention Agenda, the Department of Health and Ageing commissioned a consortium comprising the National Drug Research Institute (Curtin University) and the Centre for Adolescent Health (Melbourne University) to consolidate national and international evidence on best practice in prevention of substance misuse.The researchers examined international and national data, literature and programs that provide evidence of good practice in preventing or delaying the onset of drug use and that address the risk and harm known to be associated with drug use. The resulting monograph is a comprehensive document which outlines patterns of substance use and harm, considers risk and protective factors predictive of harmful drug use and extensively reviews the evidence available on national and international prevention strategies and approaches.