The role of school characteristics in pre-legalization cannabis use change among Canadian youth: implications for policy and harm reduction

Abstract Reducing youth cannabis use in Canada is a public health priority with schools of interest as a potential modifier of behavior and as a venue for prevention programming. This work aimed to provide a basis for future policy and programming by evaluating pre-legalization cannabis use change patterns in schools and the impact of school characteristics on these patterns. Average rates of cannabis use behavior change (initiation, escalation, reduction, cessation) were collected from 88 high schools located in Ontario and Alberta, Canada participating in the COMPASS prospective cohort study. There was little variability in cannabis use behaviors between schools with intra-class correlation coefficients lowest for cessation (0.02) and escalation (0.02) followed by initiation (0.03) and reduction (0.05). Modest differences were found based on school province, urbanicity and student-peer use. Cannabis ease of access rates had no significant effect. Fewer than half the schools reported offering school drug use prevention programs; these were not significantly associated with student cannabis use behaviors. In conclusion, current school-based cannabis prevention efforts do not appear sufficiently effective. Comprehensive implementation of universal prevention programs may reduce cannabis harms. Some factors (urbanicity, peer use rates) may indicate which schools to prioritize.

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Examining the impact of the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic period on youth cannabis use: adjusted annual changes between the pre-COVID and initial COVID-lockdown waves of the COMPASS study

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-11241-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Scott T. Leatherdale ◽

Richard E. Bélanger ◽

Rabi Joël Gansaonré ◽

Karen A. Patte ◽

Margaret deGroh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Structural Equation ◽

Period Change ◽

Cannabis Use ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Double Difference ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Early Stages ◽

Canadian Youth ◽

Age Related ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Given the high rates of cannabis use among Canadian youth and that adolescence is a critical period for cannabis use trajectories, the purpose of this paper was to examine the effect of the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic period on youth cannabis use in the context of a natural experiment. We used 3-year linked data from the COMPASS study, including 7653 Canadian (Quebec, Ontario) adolescents from which 1937 completed all 3 survey waves (pre-COVID-19 [2018, 2019] and online [2020] during the early pandemic period [May–July 2020]). Structural equation modeling (SEM) and double difference (DD) models were used to estimate pre-COVID-19 to initial COVID-19 pandemic period change (2019–2020) in cannabis use (monthly, weekly, daily) compared to 2018 to 2019 change to adjust for age-related effects. Models were adjusted for age of entry into the cohort and sociodemographic characteristics. Results In the SEM and DD models, monthly, weekly, and daily cannabis use increased across all waves; however, the expected increases from the pre-COVID-19 wave (2019) to the initial COVID-19 period wave (2020) were lesser relative to the changes seen across the 2018 to 2019 waves. The cross-sectional data from May to July 2020 identified that the majority of youth who use cannabis did not report increased cannabis use due to COVID-19 or using cannabis to cope with COVID-19. Conclusion During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic period, there does not appear to be a detrimental effect on youth cannabis use, when adjusted for age-related changes. Further prospective research is needed to explore the impact of the ongoing pandemic response on youth cannabis use onset and progression.

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Prelegalisation patterns and trends of cannabis use among Canadian youth: results from the COMPASS prospective cohort study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-026515 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. e026515 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Alexandra M E Zuckermann ◽

Katelyn Battista ◽

Margaret de Groh ◽

Ying Jiang ◽

Scott T Leatherdale

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Prospective Cohort Study ◽

Prospective Cohort ◽

Female Students ◽

Cannabis Use ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Aboriginal Students ◽

School Year ◽

Canadian Youth ◽

The Impact

ObjectiveCanada federally legalised recreational cannabis use among adults in October 2018. The impact this will have on Canadian youth is cause for concern. The current study examined changes in youth cannabis use over the time prior to legalisation to explore the impact of the beginning federal discourse around legalisation during the 2016/2017 school year.DesignCOMPASS, a prospective cohort study based on annual self-administered questionnaires.SettingOntario and Alberta during the first 6 years of the COMPASS study (2012/2013 to 2017/2018).ParticipantsCanadian grade 9–12 students attending secondary schools participating in COMPASS. In total, 2 30 404 questionnaires were included in the analysis (Y1: 2012/2013, n=24 173; Y2: 2013/2014, n=45 298; Y3: 2014/2015, n=42 355, Y4: 2015/2016, n=40 436; Y5: 2016/2017, n=37 060; Y6: 2017/2018, n=34 897).Primary and secondary outcome measuresLifetime cannabis use, past-year cannabis use, weekly cannabis use, ease of access to cannabis and age at first cannabis use.ResultsCannabis never-use decreased between Y5 and Y6. Changes in age at first cannabis use mirrored this trend, with male students consistently starting younger. Cannabis access rates increased from Y4, mainly led by female students. Lifetime and past-year use rates were lowest in Y4 then increased in Y5 and Y6 due to a rise in the occasional use more common among female students, who reported use increases first. Non-white students were more likely use cannabis, with black and Aboriginal students the only two groups consistently reporting more weekly than occasional use, though with opposing trajectories. Overall, Aboriginal students had the highest odds of reporting lifetime, past-year and weekly use among the demographic groups examined.ConclusionAfter a steady decrease in patterns of cannabis among youth over several years, it appears that there has been a gradual increase in cannabis use among youth following the start of discourse around cannabis legalisation, with some populations of youth being at greater risk.

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Factors Moderating the Association between Cannabis Use and Psychosis Risk: A Systematic Review

Brain Sciences ◽

10.3390/brainsci10020097 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 97 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Sanne J. van der Steur ◽

Albert Batalla ◽

Matthijs G. Bossong

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Cannabis Use ◽

Future Research ◽

Genetic Profile ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Psychosis Risk ◽

Specific Factors ◽

Use Behavior ◽

Genetic Profiles ◽

The Impact

Increasing evidence indicates a relationship between cannabis use and psychosis risk. Specific factors, such as determinants of cannabis use or the genetic profile of cannabis users, appear to moderate this association. The present systematic review presents a detailed and up-to-date literature overview on factors that influence the relationship between cannabis use and psychosis risk. A systematic search was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines in MEDLINE and Embase, and 56 studies were included. The results show that, in particular, frequent cannabis use, especially daily use, and the consumption of high-potency cannabis are associated with a higher risk of developing psychosis. Moreover, several genotypes moderate the impact of cannabis use on psychosis risk, particularly those involved in the dopamine function, such as AKT1. Finally, cannabis use is associated with an earlier psychosis onset and increased risk of transition in individuals at a clinical high risk of psychosis. These findings indicate that changing cannabis use behavior could be a harm reduction strategy employed to lower the risk of developing psychosis. Future research should aim to further develop specific biomarkers and genetic profiles for psychosis, thereby contributing to the identification of individuals at the highest risk of developing a psychotic disorder.

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The Impact of Universal Suicide-Prevention Programs on the Help-Seeking Attitudes and Behaviors of Youths

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000178 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 34 (2) ◽

pp. 82-97 ◽

Cited By ~ 57

Author(s):

Bonnie Klimes-Dougan ◽

David A. Klingbeil ◽

Sarah J. Meller

Keyword(s):

Suicide Prevention ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Prevention Programs ◽

Universal Prevention ◽

Help Seeking Attitudes ◽

Attitudes And Behaviors ◽

Seeking Behavior ◽

And Behaviors ◽

Suicide Prevention Programs ◽

The Impact

Background: While the ultimate goal of adolescent suicide-prevention efforts is to decrease the incidence of death by suicide, a critical intermediary goal is directing youths toward effective sources of assistance. Aim: To comprehensively review the universal prevention literature and examine the effects of universal prevention programs on student’s attitudes and behaviors related to help-seeking. Method: We systematically reviewed studies that assessed help-seeking outcomes including prevention efforts utilizing (1) psychoeducational curricula, (2) gatekeeper training, and (3) public service messaging directed at youths. Of the studies reviewed, 17 studies evaluated the help-seeking outcomes. These studies were identified through a range of sources (e.g., searching online databases, examining references of published articles on suicide prevention). Results: The results of this review suggest that suicide-prevention programming has a limited impact on help-seeking behavior. Although there was some evidence that suicide-prevention programs had a positive impact on students’ help-seeking attitudes and behaviors, there was also evidence of no effects or iatrogenic effects. Sex and risk status were moderators of program effects on students help-seeking. Conclusions: Caution is warranted when considering which suicidal prevention interventions best optimize the intended goals. The impact on adolescents’ help-seeking behavior is a key concern for educators and mental-health professionals.

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Should Attitudinal Views toward Innovation Development Play a Role in Policy in Peripheral EU Regions?: New Evidence from Vouchers Program in Northern Ireland

Journal of Innovation Management ◽

10.24840/2183-0606_006.002_0007 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 121-137

Author(s):

Sean M. McDonald ◽

Remi C. Claire ◽

Alastair H. McPherson

Keyword(s):

Economic Development ◽

Northern Ireland ◽

Policy Design ◽

Regional Economic Development ◽

Innovation Development ◽

Regional Economic ◽

Eu Regions ◽

Future Policy ◽

The Impact ◽

New Evidence

The impact and effectiveness of policies to support collaboration for Research & Development (R&D) and Innovation is critical to determining the success of regional economic development. (O’Kane, 2008) The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the level of success of the Innovation Vouchers Program operated by Invest Northern Ireland (Invest NI) from 2009 to 2013 and address if attitudinal views towards innovation development should play in a role in future policy design in peripheral EU regions.

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The Effect of Information Technology on Fluidity of Contemporary Architectural Space

Wasit Journal of Engineering Sciences ◽

10.31185/ejuow.vol7.iss1.115 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 62-72

Author(s):

Shatha Abbas Hassan ◽

Noor Ali Aljorani

Keyword(s):

Information Technology ◽

Communication Systems ◽

Research Problem ◽

Architectural Space ◽

Human Thought ◽

Technological Developments ◽

Ease Of Access ◽

The Impact ◽

Role Of Information

The increasing importance of the information revolution and terms such as ‘speed’, ‘disorientation’, and ‘changing the concept of distance’, has provided us with tools that had not been previously available. Technological developments are moving toward Fluidity, which was previously unknown and cannot be understood through modern tools. With acceleration of the rhythm in the age we live in and the clarity of the role of information technology in our lives, as also the ease of access to information, has helped us to overcome many difficulties. Technology in all its forms has had a clear impact on all areas of daily life, and it has a clear impact on human thought in general, and the architectural space in particular, where the architecture moves from narrow spaces and is limited to new spaces known as the ‘breadth’, and forms of unlimited and stability to spaces characterized with fluidity. The research problem (the lack of clarity of knowledge about the impact of vast information flow associated with the technology of the age in the occurrence of liquidity in contemporary architectural space) is presented here. The research aims at defining fluidity and clarifying the effect of information technology on the changing characteristics of architectural space from solidity to fluidity. The research follows the analytical approach in tracking the concept of fluidity in physics and sociology to define this concept and then to explain the effect of Information Technology (IT) to achieve the fluidity of contemporary architectural space, leading to an analysis of the Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM) architectural model. The research concludes that information technology achieves fluidity through various tools (communication systems, computers, automation, and artificial intelligence). It has changed the characteristics of contemporary architectural space and made it behave like an organism, through using smart material.

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Effects of Indigenous Diet Iron Content and Location on Hemoglobin Levels of Ghanaians

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12092710 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (9) ◽

pp. 2710 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

April Callister ◽

Joanna Gautney ◽

Christina Aguilar ◽

Julian Chan ◽

David Aguilar

Keyword(s):

Food Group ◽

Food Type ◽

Plant Proteins ◽

Food Groups ◽

Sex Distribution ◽

Dietary Interventions ◽

Food Frequency ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Ease Of Access ◽

The Impact

Multiple studies have demonstrated strong links between diet and anemia, but few have explored the impact of food groups on hemoglobin (Hb). We analyzed the correlation between Ghanaian diet and Hb levels to explore reduction of anemia prevalence through dietary interventions. Demographics, food frequency questionnaires (FFQ), and blood samples were obtained from 140 volunteers (ages 18–65) in five locations across Ghana. Hb was measured; estimated iron consumption was calculated. FFQ items were grouped by food type, and a regression analysis was performed to determine the most important dietary predictors of Hb. Moreover, 47% of total participants were anemic; 64% of females and 28% of males. Hb levels were highest in Mole (13.9 g/dL, SD = ±1.9), independent of sex distribution. The regression model revealed a 62.7% adjusted correlation between food groups and Hb levels. Animal foods (β = 0.016, t = 5.08, p < 0.01) and plant protein (β = 0.013, t = 2.86, p < 0.01) were the most influential groups to Hb levels. It is of vital importance to emphasize the benefits of consuming animal foods and plant proteins within the Ghanaian population. The ease of access to plant proteins makes it likely that this food group will be most influential and have the greatest impact in reduction of anemia in the Ghanaian population.

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The impact of cannabis legalization in Uruguay on adolescent cannabis use

International Journal of Drug Policy ◽

10.1016/j.drugpo.2020.102748 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 80 ◽

pp. 102748

Author(s):

Hannah Laqueur ◽

Ariadne Rivera-Aguirre ◽

Aaron Shev ◽

Alvaro Castillo-Carniglia ◽

Kara E. Rudolph ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cannabis Use ◽

The Impact

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Improvement in psychological wellbeing among adolescents with a substance use disorder attending an outpatient treatment programme

Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/ipm.2021.6 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

N.M. Gamage ◽

C. Darker ◽

B.P. Smyth

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Psychological Symptoms ◽

Significant Proportion ◽

Cannabis Use ◽

Psychological Wellbeing ◽

Substance Use Treatment ◽

Disruptive Behaviour ◽

Treatment Programme ◽

The Impact

Objectives: Adolescents with substance use disorders (SUDs) exhibit high rates of comorbid psychological problems. This study aimed to examine the impact of an outpatient substance use treatment programme upon the psychological wellbeing of adolescents. Methods: A prospective study was carried out examining psychological symptoms in a group of adolescents attending the Youth Drug and Alcohol (YoDA) Addiction Service in Dublin. Participants were treated with evidenced based psychological models such as cognitive behavioural therapy, motivational interviewing and systemic family therapy. The Becks Youth Inventory was utilised to assess psychological symptoms at treatment entry and repeated three months later at follow up. Results: Among 36 adolescents who were included in this study, poly-substance misuse was the norm. Almost three-quarter had a cannabis use disorder (CUD). There were significant reductions in mean subscale scores of depression (56.0 to 50.8, p = 0.003), anger (55.2 to 49.5, p < 0.001) and disruptive behaviour (61.6 to 56.5, p = 0.002) at follow up. Although there wasn’t a statistically significant reduction in mean scores for anxiety, we observed a significant proportion of participants (p = 0.008) improving and moving out of a moderate to severe symptom range when examined by category. This was also the case for self-concept (p = 0.04). Furthermore this study revealed a positive correlation between the reduction in days of cannabis use and reduction in depressive scores (Pearson correlation 0.49, p = 0.01) among those with a CUD. Conclusion: The findings indicate that substance use treatment for adolescents is associated with important psychological and behavioural improvements.

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Compulsive Buying in Adolescents. The Impact of Gender and Alcohol and Cannabis Use

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13073982 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (7) ◽

pp. 3982

Author(s):

Gloria Pérez de Albéniz-Garrote ◽

Maria Begoña Medina-Gómez ◽

Cristina Buedo-Guirado

Keyword(s):

Compulsive Buying ◽

Cannabis Use ◽

Descriptive Statistics ◽

Cluster Sampling ◽

Toxic Substances ◽

Higher Alcohol ◽

Random Cluster ◽

Prevention Programmes ◽

The Impact ◽

Buying In

The purpose of this study to analyse whether compulsive buying in teenagers is related to gender and alcohol and cannabis use in a sample of 573 students aged 14–17 from secondary education schools in Burgos (Spain) (M = 15.65; SD = 1.04). Random cluster sampling was performed to select the sample. The Compulsive Buying Questionnaire was used together with two extra promts: ‘Indicate how much alcohol you consume’ and ‘Indicate how much cannabis you take’. Descriptive statistics were used in data analysis, while MANOVA was used to study gender differences in alcohol and cannabis use, compulsive buying and their interaction. The results show higher scores for female compulsive buyers than for men, higher scores for alcohol and cannabis users’ compulsive buying than for non-users, respectively, and higher scores for female users than for male users. A certain interaction was also observed between alcohol and cannabis use. A higher alcohol consumption entailed a higher score in compulsive buying, with cannabis users who did not consume alcohol obtaining the highest scores. Thus, prevention programmes should consider teenagers’ gender and the risk of taking toxic substances.

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