Alexandra M E Zuckermann1, Gillian C Williams2, Katelyn Battista2, Ying Jiang3, Margaret de Groh3, Scott T Leatherdale2. 1. University of Waterloo, School of Public Health and Health Systems, 200 University Avenue, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada; Public Health Agency of Canada, Applied Research Division, 785 Carling Ave, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada. Electronic address: alex.zuckermann@uwaterloo.ca. 2. University of Waterloo, School of Public Health and Health Systems, 200 University Avenue, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada. 3. Public Health Agency of Canada, Applied Research Division, 785 Carling Ave, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Youth poly-substance use, associated with long-term negative health and social outcomes, is of increasing concern following the rise of e-cigarette vaping and cannabis legalization in Canada. This work aimed to investigate current evidence on correlates of this behaviour to inform effective prevention and harm reduction programming. DESIGN: Cross-sectional sample taking part in a cohort study. SETTING: Canadian high schools (AB, BC, ON, QC) PARTICIPANTS: 74,501 Canadian high school students who completed the COMPASS student questionnaire in 2018/2019. MEASUREMENTS: Self-report data on use of five substances (alcohol, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cannabis, and opioids) alongside demographic factors, social and school support, and mental health-related measures. RESULTS: Of the 39% of youth who reported current substance use, 53% reported using two or more. E-cigarette vaping was most prevalent (28%) and most often combined with other substances. Feeling supported by friends and having no problem with seeking help at school were associated with higher levels of poly-substance use. Family support, school connectedness, and school support to resist drugs decreased the risk of substance co-use. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence presented here suggests that interventions for youth poly-substance use should rely on joint efforts between parents, schools, and communities to focus on structural factors rather than problematizing the individual.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Youth poly-substance use, associated with long-term negative health and social outcomes, is of increasing concern following the rise of e-cigarette vaping and cannabis legalization in Canada. This work aimed to investigate current evidence on correlates of this behaviour to inform effective prevention and harm reduction programming. DESIGN: Cross-sectional sample taking part in a cohort study. SETTING: Canadian high schools (AB, BC, ON, QC) PARTICIPANTS: 74,501 Canadian high school students who completed the COMPASS student questionnaire in 2018/2019. MEASUREMENTS: Self-report data on use of five substances (alcohol, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cannabis, and opioids) alongside demographic factors, social and school support, and mental health-related measures. RESULTS: Of the 39% of youth who reported current substance use, 53% reported using two or more. E-cigarette vaping was most prevalent (28%) and most often combined with other substances. Feeling supported by friends and having no problem with seeking help at school were associated with higher levels of poly-substance use. Family support, school connectedness, and school support to resist drugs decreased the risk of substance co-use. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence presented here suggests that interventions for youth poly-substance use should rely on joint efforts between parents, schools, and communities to focus on structural factors rather than problematizing the individual.
Authors: Francis Vergunst; Nicholas Chadi; Massimiliano Orri; Camille Brousseau-Paradis; Natalie Castellanos-Ryan; Jean R Séguin; Frank Vitaro; Daniel Nagin; Richard E Tremblay; Sylvana M Côté Journal: Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry Date: 2021-05-31 Impact factor: 4.785
Authors: Alexandra M E Zuckermann; Katelyn V Battista; Richard E Bélanger; Slim Haddad; Alexandra Butler; Mary Jean Costello; Scott T Leatherdale Journal: Prev Med Rep Date: 2021-03-11
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