Please note that this is an on-going project.
Project Description
Blurred Minds, an accredited social enterprise housed within Griffith University, is a leader in vaping, alcohol and other drug education across Australia. We deliver innovative, gamified resources that empower educators and engage students in making informed decisions about vaping, alcohol, and other drugs (AOD). Our core offerings are:
1. Blurred Minds Academy: A comprehensive online platform offering plug-and-play solutions for effective and engaging lessons on substance use topics.
2. Workshops: Customisable in-person workshops designed to enhance day-to-day alcohol, vaping and drug education.
3. Webinars: Online sessions covering substances of choice for entire communities, parents, or teachers.
Our aim is to create substance-free schools nationwide. We strive to transform students’ views on substance use by enhancing their knowledge, challenging misconceptions, and equipping them with practical strategies to resist peer pressure.
We are committed to making Blurred Minds available to all Australian schools by collaborating with schools, government and industry partners.
Project Personnel and Beneficiaries
Blurred Minds targets and benefits upper primary and secondary students, teachers, and parents, offering tailored benefits to each group. Students gain valuablevaluable insights into substance use topics, including marketing tactics, environmental impacts, and refusal strategies. Trained facilitators deliver evidence-based workshops, providing essential guidance that supports the entire school community. Educators are equipped with resources to incorporate these topics into their health education lessons, while parents receive practical strategies to navigate challenging conversations about substance use with their teens.
Outcomes to Date
• Built on 13 years of scientific evidence, Blurred Minds continues to evolve through evaluation and co-creation.
• More than 750 schools have utilised Blurred Minds resources to date
• 200,000 students have registered on our online education platform, Blurred Minds Academy.
• In the past year alone, the team delivered over 250 vaping workshops, empowering thousands of students to make healthier decisions.
Blurred Minds Academy outcomes include:
• Increased knowledge about alcohol, vaping, and drugs.
• Improved perceptions of peer substance use.
• Enhanced refusal skills and reduced substance use expectations.
An independent evaluation of our workshops by Central Queensland University found:
• 75% of students rated workshops highly satisfactory.
• 84% gained increased knowledge about vaping risks.
• 88% of student vapers are likely to reduce or quit vaping.
• 100% of parents and teachers rated workshops highly satisfactory.
Project Significance
Blurred Minds provides engaging, evidence-based substance education for upper primary and secondary students, fostering healthier decision-making. This aligns with SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing.
Our program addresses the significant health risks linked to teenage substance use. Through our gamified approach, we make AOD education both accessible and engaging, leading to lasting positive impacts on adolescents’ health and wellbeing. Students gain knowledge and tools for informed choices, while teachers save time and enhance their ability to deliver impactful substance education lessons.