Creating a strong and deadly future for the next generation
In 2016, researchers at the Matilda Centre heard from educators that there was a need for a culturally inclusive alcohol and drug prevention program that took into account Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives. The team, led by Associate Professor Lexine Stapinski, partnered with the Centre for Research Excellence in Indigenous Health and Alcohol, and artists from Gilimbaa Aboriginal Artist Collective, to address the gap. They embarked on a mission to co-develop an evidence-based and strengths-focused program driven by strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership.
Today, that program is known as Strong & Deadly Futures.
The program consists of six curriculum-aligned lessons for Year 8 students, with two additional booster lessons for Year 9. It centres around storytelling, combining prevention strategies with a focus on celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander strengths.
Key messages are delivered through a narrated cartoon that follows a group of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and non-Aboriginal teenagers, which is reinforced with classroom activities, including those focussed on cultural strengths. Designed for delivery by teachers with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander education officers, the program encourages schools to engage with local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities and Elders.
The program aims to:
- Prevent the uptake of tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis use among teenagers
- Foster safe attitudes and promote responsible decision-making
- Enhance wellbeing and empower students to navigate challenges
As a young Aboriginal woman I found the first lesson a great way to open Aboriginal culture to our students, both Indigenous and non-indigenous, especially in our school, as we are a multicultural town and school, and everyone learns off each other.
Project Manager Dr Kriscia Tapia shares more about Strong & Deadly Futures and what is in store for 2025.
Tell us about the journey for Strong & Deadly Futures!
The development began with a review of existing prevention programs and the factors that protect against substance-related harms among Indigenous populations. It revealed the lack of evidence-based school programs for Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students, and found that programs that were effectively implemented internationally had been culturally and locally adapted with deep community involvement.
So, in partnership with Aboriginal creative agency Gilimbaa, we conducted community consultations followed by a pilot program across four schools in NSW and Queensland from 2017-2018. The storylines, characters and classroom activities were co-designed with students and educators at these schools. Their positive feedback encouraged us to expand our efforts.
Guided by an Aboriginal Reference Group and led by co-investigator Associate Professor Michael Doyle, a proud Bardi man, we expanded our consultations in 2021-2024. We partnered with local Aboriginal Medical Services and employed local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander facilitators to gather feedback from youth and adults from 23 additional communities across NSW, Queensland, and WA. They emphasised the need for customisable lessons, regional adaptations, and refinements to the characters and language. To address these recommendations, we partnered with Aboriginal creative agencies CAUSE/AFFECT and GARUWA, to adapt the program for four different regions in preparation for a national trial.
Currently, Strong & Deadly Futures is being evaluated in a randomised controlled trial, funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council, in 22 high schools across NSW, Queensland, and WA. The results of this trial, expected in 2025, will provide further insights into the program’s effectiveness in improving wellbeing and preventing harm from substance use.
Photo: Deanna Broome (far left), Aunty Caroline Busch from Catholic Care NT (left), Dr Kriscia Tapia (right) and John Ryan (far right) at the 2023 Indigenous Wellbeing Conference in Darwin. Supplied.
What benefits are there to providing prevention programs that are culturally inclusive for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students?
The benefits of providing culturally inclusive programs are immense. Culture serves as a protective factor, offering strength and resilience through strong cultural and community connections. However, the ripple effects of intergenerational trauma can contribute to difficulties in maintaining health and wellbeing. Substance use is both a risk factor for and a consequence of mental ill-health, underscoring the need for empowering programs that are culturally safe and effective.
Adolescence is a crucial period when early choices can have lasting effects. Early alcohol and drug use heightens the risk of poor academic performance, school dropout, substance dependence, and future mental ill-health. Delaying alcohol use by just one year can reduce dependence risk by 10%, making prevention programs crucial for empowering youth to reach their full potential.
Culturally inclusive programs like Strong & Deadly Futures are specifically designed to meet this need. It draws on the latest evidence and is informed by ongoing consultation with communities, ensuring the content is both relevant and impactful. By weaving cultural perspectives that communities have generously shared with us, it allows students to see their own stories and values reflected in the program. This not only enhances engagement but also helps with delivering the key messages.
Student photo: "Students during the development phase, holding posters of the Strong & Deadly Futures characters that they’ve inspired." Photographed by Gilimbaa
Let's always teach Indigenous kids to be proud of who they are!
What consultations do you do with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities for the program?
Strong & Deadly Futures is shaped by extensive community consultations and ongoing guidance provided by the program’s Aboriginal Reference Group who meet two to three times a year.
Consultations within schools are facilitated by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander facilitators and incorporate activities like Photovoice, art-making and yarning circles. Through these activities we gain an understanding of the students’ experiences, role models, and what they love about their communities. As a non-Aboriginal researcher, this collaborative process has been incredibly meaningful.
Photo: Community consultations with adults led by Terri Golding, Aboriginal Reference Group member and Perth educator (in the top row, third from the right). Supplied
What is in the future for Strong & Deadly Futures?
Looking ahead, Strong & Deadly Futures aims to focus on emerging prevention priorities, such as vaping and e-cigarette use, and expand its reach to serve even more communities.
Once the trial concludes, the program will be made widely accessible to high schools across Australia, empowering more students through its culturally inclusive, evidence-based approach.
For more information about how to get involved or to bring Strong & Deadly Futures to your community, visit the program’s official website or contact us at info@strongdeadly.org.au.