Are School Substance Use Policy Violation Disciplinary Consequences Associated with Student Engagement in Cannabis?

Schools are increasingly concerned about student cannabis use with the recent legalization in Canada; however, little is known about how to effectively intervene when students violate school substance use policies. The purpose of this study is to assess the disciplinary approaches present in secondary schools prior to cannabis legalization and examine associations with youth cannabis use. This study used Year 6 (2017/2018) data from the COMPASS (Cannabis use, Obesity, Mental Health, Physical Activity, Alcohol use, Smoking, Sedentary behavior) study including 66,434 students in grades 9 through 12 and the 122 secondary schools they attend in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec. Student questionnaires assessed youth cannabis use and school administrator surveys assessed potential use of 14 cannabis use policy violation disciplinary consequences through a (“check all that apply”) question. Regression models tested the association between school disciplinary approaches and student cannabis use with student- (grade, sex, ethnicity, tobacco use, binge drinking) and school-level covariates (province, school area household median income). For first-offence violations of school cannabis policies, the vast majority of schools selected confiscating the product (93%), informing parents (93%), alerting police (80%), and suspending students from school (85%), among their disciplinary response options. Few schools indicated requiring students to help around the school (5%), issuing a fine (7%), or assigning additional class work (8%) as potential consequences. The mean number of total first-offence consequences selected by schools was 7.23 (SD = 2.14). Overall, 92% of schools reported always using a progressive disciplinary approach in which sanctions get stronger with subsequent violations. Students were less likely to report current cannabis use if they attended schools that indicated assigning additional class work (OR 0.57, 95% CI (0.38, 0.84)) or alerting the police (OR 0.81, 95% CI (0.67, 0.98)) among their potential first-offence consequences, or reported always using the progressive discipline approach (OR 0.77, 95% CI (0.62, 0.96)) for subsequent cannabis policy violations. In conclusion, results reveal the school disciplinary context in regard to cannabis policy violations in the year immediately preceding legalization. Various consequences for cannabis policy violations were being used by schools, yet negligible association resulted between the type of first-offence consequences included in a school’s range of disciplinary approaches and student cannabis use.

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Epidemiology of substance use among secondary school learners in Atteridgeville, Gauteng

South African Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v18i1.320 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 6 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

S V Moodley ◽

M J Matjila ◽

M Y H Moosa

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Secondary Schools ◽

Drug Users ◽

Illicit Drug ◽

Intervention Strategy ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Cannabis Use ◽

Cluster Sampling ◽

Prevalence Rates ◽

Cross Sectional

Introduction. Adolescent substance use has a number of adverse consequences for both the individual and society. Anecdotal evidence suggested the existence of a serious substance use problem among learners in Atteridgeville, part of the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality in Gauteng, South Africa. Objectives. The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence rates and age of initiation of substance use among learners attending secondary schools in Atteridgeville, and the factors, if any, associated with cannabis use.Methods. This was a cross-sectional study. A cluster sampling technique was employed. Twenty-two of the total of 191 grade 8 - 11 classes in the nine Atteridgeville secondary schools were randomly selected, with all 895 learners in the selected classes being invited to participate. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data. Statistical analysis was conducted using the survey estimation commands in STATA 10.0. Results. The lifetime prevalence rates for the three most commonly used substances were 51.4% (95% confidence interval (CI) 41.5 - 61.5%) for alcohol, 25.2% (95% CI 17.1 - 33.3%) for cigarettes and 13.2% (95% CI 8.3 - 18.2%) for cannabis. Alcohol was also found to have the lowest mean age of initiation at 14.6 years (standard deviation 2.0). Based on CRAFFT screening scores, 30.3% (95% CI 24.5 - 36.1%) of learners met the criteria for possible problem substance use. Following multivariate analysis, the factors found to be significantly associated with lifetime cannabis use were age, gender, lifetime cigarette use, lifetime alcohol use, the number of illicit drug users among the learners’ five closest friends, and an older sibling with a history of illicit drug use.Conclusion. The results of the study suggest that substance use among learners in Atteridgeville is widespread and that a comprehensive intervention strategy is required.

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Comparative Study of Psychiatric Comorbidity Differences in Patients with ADHD and Cocaine Substance Use Disorders and Patients ADHD and Cannabis Use Disorders

10.26226/morressier.588f064ed462b8028d8922e8 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Nieves Martínez-Luna

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Comparative Study ◽

Substance Use Disorders ◽

Psychiatric Comorbidity ◽

Cannabis Use ◽

Cannabis Use Disorders

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Exploring a causal model in observational cohort data: The role of parents and peers in shaping substance use trajectories

10.31234/osf.io/7v4sq ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Christopher Greenwood ◽

George Joseph Youssef ◽

Primrose Letcher ◽

Elizabeth Spry ◽

Lauryn Hagg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Cannabis Use ◽

Causal Effects ◽

Deviant Peers ◽

Adolescent Relationships ◽

Cohort Data ◽

Observational Cohort ◽

Peer Affiliations ◽

Role Of Parents ◽

Adolescent Relationship

Aims: To explore the process of applying counterfactual thinking in examining causal predictors of substance use trajectories in observational cohort data. Specifically, we examine the extent to which quality of the parent-adolescent relationship and affiliations with deviant peers are causally related to trajectories of alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use across adolescence and into young adulthood. Methods: Data were drawn from the Australian Temperament Project, a population-based cohort study that has followed a sample of young Australians from infancy to adulthood since 1983. Parent-adolescent relationship quality and deviant peer affiliations were assessed at age 13-14 years. Latent curve models were fitted for past month alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use (n = 1,590) from age 15-16 to 27-28 years (5 waves). Confounding factors were selected in line with the counterfactual framework. Results: Following confounder adjustment, higher quality parent-adolescent relationships were associated with lower baseline cannabis use, but not alcohol or tobacco use trajectories. In contrast, affiliations with deviant peers were associated with higher baseline binge drinking, tobacco, and cannabis use, and an earlier peak in the cannabis use trajectory. Conclusions: Confounding adjustments weakened several estimated associations and the interpretation of such associations as causal is not without limitations. Nevertheless, findings suggested causal effects of both parent-adolescent relationships and deviant peer affiliations on the trajectory of substance use. Causal effects were however more pervasive (i.e., more substance types) and protracted for deviant peer affiliations. The current study encourages the exploration of causal relationships in observational cohort data, when relevant limitations are transparently acknowledged.

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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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Associations of cannabis use frequency and cannabis use disorder with receiving a substance use screen and healthcare professional discussion of substance use

American Journal on Addictions ◽

10.1111/ajad.13195 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

John R. Moore ◽

Diana M. DiNitto ◽

Namkee G. Choi

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Healthcare Professional ◽

Cannabis Use ◽

Cannabis Use Disorder

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Is Cannabis Use Associated with Prescription Psychotropic and Pain Reliever Medication and Other Substance Use among Individuals Aged 50+ with Mental Illness?

Drug and Alcohol Dependence ◽

10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.108842 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 108842

Author(s):

Namkee G. Choi ◽

Bryan Y. Choi ◽

C. Nathan Marti ◽

Diana M. DiNitto

Keyword(s):

Mental Illness ◽

Substance Use ◽

Cannabis Use ◽

Pain Reliever ◽

Reliever Medication

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Factors Associated With Cannabis Use During the Reproductive Cycle: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study of Women in States With Recreational and Medical Cannabis Legalization

Maternal and Child Health Journal ◽

10.1007/s10995-021-03197-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Danica Loralyn Taylor ◽

Janice F. Bell ◽

Susan L. Adams ◽

Christiana Drake

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Prenatal Care ◽

Post Partum ◽

Cannabis Use ◽

Provider Education ◽

Substance Use Prevention ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Adequacy Of Prenatal Care ◽

The Impact

Abstract Introduction Passage of cannabis laws may impact cannabis use and the use of other substances. The suggested association is of particular concern in pregnant women where exposure to substances can cause harm to both the pregnant woman and fetus. The present study contributes to the minimal literature on factors associated with cannabis use during the preconception, prenatal, and postpartum periods including state legalization status, concurrent use of tobacco and e-cigarettes and adequacy of prenatal care. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using combined survey data from the 2016–2018 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) collected from 36,391 women. Logistic regression was used to estimate the impact of state-legalization, adequacy of prenatal care, and other substance use on cannabis use during the preconception, prenatal, and post-partum periods. Results In the preconception model, residence in a recreationally legal state (OR: 2.37; 95% CI, 2.04–2.75) or medically legal state (OR:3.32; 95% CI, 2.90–3.80) compared to a non-legal state was associated with higher odds of cannabis use. In the prenatal model, residence in a recreationally legal state was associated with higher odds of cannabis use (OR: 1.51; 95% CI, 1.29–1.79) whereas there was no association with residence in a medically legal state. Tobacco use including e-cigarettes and moderate prenatal alcohol use were also significantly associated with cannabis use. Conclusion Recreational cannabis legalization is associated with the use of cannabis prior to, during, and after pregnancy. Renewed clinical and policy efforts may be warranted to update prenatal substance use prevention programs, educational campaigns, and provider education as cannabis legalization evolves.

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610 Self-Reported Sleep and Circadian Characteristics Predict Future Substance Use: A Longitudinal Analysis from the NCANDA Study

SLEEP ◽

10.1093/sleep/zsab072.608 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. A240-A240

Author(s):

Brant Hasler ◽

Jessica Graves ◽

Meredith Wallace ◽

Stephanie Claudatos ◽

Fiona Baker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Substance Use ◽

Sleep Duration ◽

Daytime Sleepiness ◽

Parental Education ◽

Negative Binomial ◽

Longitudinal Design ◽

Random Effect ◽

Cannabis Use ◽

Increased Risk

Abstract Introduction Growing evidence indicates that sleep characteristics predict later substance use and related problems during adolescence and young adulthood. However, most prior studies have assessed a limited range of sleep characteristics, studied only a narrow age span, and included relatively few follow-up assessments. Here, we used multiple years of data from the National Consortium on Alcohol and Neurodevelopment in Adolescence (NCANDA) study, which spans the adolescent period with an accelerated longitudinal design, to examine whether multiple sleep characteristics in any year predict substance use the following year. Methods The sample included 831 participants (423 females; age 12–21 years at baseline) from NCANDA. Sleep variables included the previous year’s circadian preference, sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, timing of midsleep (weekday and weekend), and sleep duration (weekday and weekend). Each sleep variable’s association with the subsequent year’s substance use (cannabis use or alcohol binge severity) across years 1–5 was tested separately using generalized linear mixed models (zero-inflated Negative Binomial for cannabis; ordinal for binge severity) with age, sex, race, visit, parental education, previous year’s substance use (yes/no) as covariates and subject as a random effect. Results With regard to cannabis use, greater eveningness and shorter weekday sleep duration predicted an increased risk for additional days of cannabis use the following year, while greater eveningness and later weekend midsleep predicted a greater likelihood of any cannabis use the following year. With regard to alcohol binge severity, greater eveningness, greater daytime sleepiness, and shorter sleep duration (weekday and weekend) all predicted an increased risk for more severe alcohol bingeing the following year. Post-hoc stratified analyses indicated that some of these associations may differ between high school-age and college-age participants. Conclusion Our findings extend prior work, indicating that eveningness and later sleep timing, as well as shorter sleep duration, especially on weekdays, are risk factors for future cannabis use and alcohol misuse. These results underscore a need for greater attention to sleep characteristics as potential risk factors for substance use in adolescents and young adults and may inform future areas of intervention. Support (if any) Grants from NIH: R01AA025626 (Hasler) and U01AA021690 (Clark) and UO1 AA021696 (Baker & Colrain)

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Disciplinary Approaches for Cannabis Use Policy Violations in Canadian Secondary Schools

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18052472 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (5) ◽

pp. 2472

Author(s):

Megan J. Magier ◽

Scott T. Leatherdale ◽

Terrance J. Wade ◽

Karen A. Patte

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Alcohol Use ◽

Secondary Schools ◽

Sedentary Behaviour ◽

Survey Data ◽

Educational Programs ◽

Cannabis Use ◽

School Year ◽

Progressive Discipline

The objective of this study was to examine the disciplinary approaches being used in secondary schools for student violations of school cannabis policies. Survey data from 134 Canadian secondary schools participating in the Cannabis use, Obesity, Mental health, Physical activity, Alcohol use, Smoking, and Sedentary behaviour (COMPASS) study were used from the school year immediately following cannabis legalization in Canada (2018/19). Despite all schools reporting always/sometimes using a progressive discipline approach, punitive consequences (suspension, alert police) remain prevalent as first-offence options, with fewer schools indicating supportive responses (counselling, cessation/educational programs). Schools were classified into disciplinary approach styles, with most schools using Authoritarian and Authoritative approaches, followed by Neglectful and Permissive/Supportive styles. Further support for schools boards in implementing progressive discipline and supportive approaches may be of benefit.

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