Some studies suggest alcohol prevention programs in schools are not effective. To determine whether a prevention program is more effective when delivered by computer than when teacher-delivered, researchers in Australia randomly assigned year-8 students (mean age, 13 years) from 16 schools to either a computerized alcohol harm reduction program (n=611) or the usual education program including social influence and harm reduction taught by teachers (control group) (n=855).

The computer program used teenage scenarios delivered via cartoon format followed by classroom discussion, skill rehearsal, and role-play. Assessments at baseline, immediately following delivery of the program, and at 6- and 12-month follow-up focused on changes in alcohol-related knowledge, expectancies related to use (i.e., anticipation of good effects of drinking), use, harm related to use, and expectancies related to use.

• Knowledge of harm minimization and skills regarding alcohol use immediately following the intervention was significantly higher in the group receiving the computerized intervention compared with controls; however, this difference diminished at 6 and 12 months.
• The computerized intervention also prevented increases in positive alcohol expectancies
• Among girls,
• average alcohol consumption, including excessive single-occasion drinking,* remained the same in the computer intervention group throughout the follow-up period, while it increased in the control group.
• those in the computer intervention group experienced significantly less harm related to alcohol consumption at 12 months than those in the control group.
• Among boys,
  • there were no differences between groups in average alcohol consumption, excessive single occasion drinking, or alcohol-related harm at any follow-up period.

* ≥4 drinks per occasion.

Comments by Michael Boyle, MA
The computerized intervention had more favorable effects than the teacher-led intervention on alcohol-related knowledge, positive expectancies, and (among girls only) alcohol consumption and related harm. But abstinence in a teenage population that is already using alcohol may not be an achievable goal, regardless of how an intervention is delivered. The more realistic goal may be prevention of alcohol-related harm. Clearly, more effective programs are needed, particularly for boys.