Objective


Adolescent substance use and related mental health harms remain a significant public health challenge, underscoring the need for developmentally appropriate, evidence-informed prevention in schools. This presentation introduces the revised Australian Principles of Drug Education in Schools, a national framework to strengthen early intervention and public mental health approaches through education systems. In 2024, the New South Wales Ministry of Health and the Department of Education initiated a collaborative review of the 2004 Principles to align them with contemporary prevention science, applied psychology, and future-focused teaching practice. The revision integrated advances in adolescent development, wellbeing promotion, and school-based intervention research, while improving accessibility and practical relevance for educators. The updated Principles are scheduled for release in 2026.


Methods


Turning Point and Monash University led a national mixed-methods review with education, health, and research stakeholders. The review examined relevance, evidence alignment, and redesign opportunities to address emerging adolescent health and educational needs. Methods included an international systematic review of reviews, an implementation-focused scoping review, a national educator survey, co-design workshops with teachers and students, and consultations with national experts and policymakers. Findings were synthesised using an applied implementation science lens to prioritise feasibility and translation into classroom practice.


Results


The review identified limited awareness and uptake of the existing Principles revealed a substantial implementation gap. Evidence synthesis identified effective prevention components, including whole-school approaches, developmental tailoring, skills-based learning, and alignment with mental health and wellbeing curricula. Co-design and stakeholder consultation highlighted the need for clarity, flexibility, culturally responsive resources, and explicit implementation guidance. These findings informed redevelopment of the Principles alongside an implementation guide to support consistent, psychologically informed delivery across schools.


Discussion


The 2026 Principles shift from static guidance to an implementation-oriented framework grounded in applied psychology and prevention science. The presentation will discuss implications for public mental health, workforce capability, and cross-sector collaboration.