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Odyssey @ Schools

This program educates upper secondary students on alcohol and drugs. Students explore their attitudes and beliefs around alcohol and drugs, and develop strategies to build resilience and reduce risk.

On this page

  • Tier: Tier 1: Positive mental health promotion
  • Category of intervention: Alcohol and drug education programs
  • Strength of evidence: Level 3: Foundational and emerging evidence for program
  • Geographic location: Statewide

Program description

Odyssey @ Schools provides education on alcohol and other drugs (AOD) to students across 3 sessions. Sessions use psychoeducation, activities and group discussion.

The program:

  • uses a harm minimisation approach and counters drug normalisation
  • addresses common myths and challenges student opinions around alcohol and other drugs
  • helps students understand and regulate their emotions
  • introduces healthy coping strategies and helps students identify when to seek help.

Intended outcomes

  • Improved understanding of risks around alcohol and other drugs
  • Improved understanding of the relationship between mental health and AOD use
  • Development of ways to minimise the harms of AOD
  • Improved understanding of personal attitudes towards risk-taking behaviour
  • Improved knowledge on where to reach out for specialised support
  • Reduction in AOD use
  • Improved mental health and wellbeing
  • Ongoing engagement in school

Program details

Target audience
  • Secondary school students – upper
  • Secondary school staff – capacity building
Program providerOdyssey House Victoria
Delivery mode
  • Online
  • Face-to-face
  • Combination of face-to-face and online

Implementation considerations

  • Target population: Senior secondary school students from years 10, 11, and 12 and secondary school staff.
  • Program adaptability: Odyssey House Victoria has specialist staff whose roles are dedicated to meeting the needs of specific vulnerable cohorts. The program has been adapted for smaller groups with simplified language and delivered with additional support from school staff. The program is adaptable for diverse cohorts including:
    • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
    • asylum seeker and refugee students
    • culturally and linguistically diverse students
    • LGBTIQA+ students
    • neurodivergent students
    • students with a disability.
  • Staffing: Backfilling for staff is not required.
  • Training requirements: Access to basic audio-visual infrastructure such as a projector and screen is required.
  • Factors to consider: Prior to implementation, a discussion with Odyssey House Victoria on specific needs amongst the student cohort is required. There is no minimum number of participants required. There is a maximum of 40 students per session. There is a minimum time commitment of 3 x 50-minute sessions per program option. Full program delivery is 10 hours.
  • Australian context: This program has been developed and applied in Australia.

Cost

Minimum cost

$2,000+

Detailed cost

Programs can be purchased individually or as a total Odyssey @ Schools package:

  • Program 1 for students: 3 x 50-minute sessions covering Introduction to Alcohol and Other Drugs: $2,381.50 (incl. GST).
  • Program 2 for students: 3 x 50-minute sessions covering Nicotine, Vaping and Cannabis: $2,381.50 (incl. GST).
  • Program 3 for students: 3 x 50-minute sessions covering Party First Aid, Self-Care and Brain Science: $2,381.50 (incl. GST).
  • Program 4 for staff: one x 6-hour session covering When is the help I am offering, helpful? $1,155.00 (incl. GST).
  • Total Odyssey @ Schools package: $8,299.50 (incl. GST).
  • Interpreters are available at additional cost.
  • Travel expenses incur additional cost.
  • Accommodation costs will be charged where the location is more than 150km from Melbourne CBD.
Education

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