Reduce Risk Increase Student Knowledge (RRISK)
Click on the relevant reports, resources and publications for more information.
| Program/Project | Reduce Risk Increased Student Knowledge (RRISK) |
| Period/Length | 20 years/on-going |
| Aim | To determine the nature and extent of the link between tobacco dependence and cannabis use |
| Year | 2000-ongoing |
| Target Group | Year 11 students in all NNSW high schools |
| Reach | ~1500 participants each year |
| Locations | Across the North Coast of NSW |
| Partners | Public, Catholic and Independent high schools, NSW RMS, SCU |
| Funding | Health Promotion |
| Contact | avigdor.zask@health.nsw.gov.au |
| Full Report | RRISK 2020 Process and Impact Evaluation |
| Resources | Teens – Avoid Risk and Harm – Health Promotion (nsw.gov.au) |
| More Information | See below |
| Publications | Elkington J, van Beurden E, Zask A, Dight R, Johnson W. RRISK: a sustainable intersectoral partnership. Youth Studies Australia 2006;25(2):17-24.
Zask A, van Beurden E, Brooks LO, Dight R. Is it worth the RRISK? Evaluation of the RRISK (Reduce Risk Increase Student Knowledge) program for adolescents in rural Australia. Journal of Adolescent Health 2006;38(5):495-503. Senserrick T, Ivers R, Boufous S, Chen H-Y, Norton R, Stevenson M, et al. Young driver education programs that build resilience have potential to reduce road crashes. Pediatrics. 2009;124(5):1287-92. |
What strategies were used?
See linked report above
What were the program outcomes?
Adolescents who attended the Reduce Risk Increase Student Knowledge (RRISK) seminar demonstrated some significant improvements in knowledge, attitudes and behaviour compared with those who did not attend (see Zask et al. (2006) in publications above.
Participation in RRISK was associated with a 44% reduced relative risk for crashes (0.56 [95% confidence interval: 0.34–0.93]) when compared to provisional licence holders state-wide (see Senserrick et al. (2009) in publications above).
A large majority of students who participated in the 2020 online program reported a perceived increase in their capability of being safe when driving and celebrating (82% and 89% respectively).