Youth cannabis use in Canada post-legalization: service providers’ perceptions, practices, and recommendations

Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy

Research

Abby L. Goldstein¹  A. Kumsal Tekirdag Kosar²  Sandra McNeil²  Charmaine C. Williams²  Carrie K.Y. Lau²  Christine Tait²  Shelley Craig²  Rachelle Ashcroft²  Uppala Chandrasekera²  Toula Kourgiantakis²  Eunjung Lee²  J. L. Henderson³  Deepy Sur⁴ 

[1] Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, Toronto, ON, Canada;Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, 246 Bloor Street West, M5S 1V4, Toronto, ON, Canada;Margaret and Wallace McCain Centre for Child, Youth and Family Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada;Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW), Toronto, ON, Canada;

关键词: Youth;    Cannabis;    Legalization;    Canada;    Service providers;    Mixed methods;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s13011-023-00550-1

 received in 2023-04-21, accepted in 2023-06-16,  发布年份 2023

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundIn 2018, Canada legalized recreational cannabis use with the purpose of protecting youth and restricting access. However, concerns have been raised that this objective has not been met as rates of cannabis use among youth aged 16–24 have not declined. Youth cannabis use is associated with various adverse effects including psychosis, anxiety, depression, suicidality, respiratory distress, cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, and intoxications. Service providers play a crucial role in addressing youth cannabis use. This study aimed to understand Ontario service providers’ perceptions, practices, and recommendations on youth cannabis use.MethodsThis mixed method study included a survey and two focus groups. The survey was distributed to mental health service providers serving youth aged 16–24 across Ontario who were given the option to participate in a focus group. The survey included closed and open-ended questions regarding perceptions, practices, and recommendations, while the focus groups explored these categories in greater depth. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze close-ended questions and interpretative content analysis was applied for open-ended questions. Focus group data were analyzed using thematic analysis.ResultsThe survey was completed by 160 service providers and 12 participated in two focus groups. Regarding perceptions, 60% of survey participants agreed with legalization, 26% had a strong understanding of medical versus recreational cannabis, 84% believed that cannabis has physical and mental health risks, and 49% perceived stigmatization. Less than half of the survey participants reported screening or assessing cannabis use, 16% stated they are highly familiar with treating cannabis use, and 67% reported that they rarely work with families. Subthemes identified in the focus groups under perceptions included normalization and stigmatization, harms for youth, and stigma, racism, and discrimination. Subthemes under practice included cannabis not being the primary focus, challenges with screening, assessment, and intervention, and referral to specialized services. Both the survey and focus group participants recommended increasing public education, enhancing service provider training, improving regulation and policies, reducing stigma and minimization, improving service access, and providing more culturally responsive services.ConclusionYouth cannabis use in Canada remains a significant public health concern, necessitating a more comprehensive plan to protect Ontario youth and reduce associated harms.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Crown 2023

【 图 表 】

40517_2023_252_Article_IEq90.gif