Lifetime influences for cannabis cessation in male incarcerated Indigenous Australians

Jacups, Susan, and Rogerson, Bernadette (2015) Lifetime influences for cannabis cessation in male incarcerated Indigenous Australians. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 47 (2). pp. 117-124.

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Abstract

Introduction: Urban non-indigenous populations report life events (marriages, employment) as influences for self-initiated cannabis cessation. However, this hasn't been investigated in remote indigenous populations with different social paradigms.

Methods: We investigate cannabis use, harms, and poly-substance misuse in 101 consenting male incarcerated indigenous Australians. Interviews applied quantitative and qualitative questions assessing demographic characteristics, criminal history, drug use, the Marijuana Problems Inventory (MPI), and cannabis-cessation influences. Comparisons used Chi Square, Analysis of Variance, and Nvivo software.

Results: Cannabis use groups (current users, ex-users, and never users) were demographically similar except that current users reported more juvenile legal problems, younger school departure, and lower school achievement (p < 0.05). Mean cannabis consumption was 12.3 cones/day. Incarceration and family responsibilities were the strongest cessation influences. Employment responsibilities and negative self-image were rarely cited as influences.

Discussion: High cannabis use, with its associated problems, is concerning. These identified influences indicate incarceration should be used for substance reduction programs, plus post-release follow-up. Community-based programs focusing on positive influences, such as family responsibilities and social cohesion, may be successful within indigenous populations with strong kinship responsibilities, rather than programs that focus solely on substance harms.

Item ID: 37837
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 2159-9777
Keywords: cannabis, cessation, incarceration, indigenous, poly drug use, substance abuse
Date Deposited: 19 Mar 2015 03:58
FoR Codes: 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111701 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health @ 80%
17 PSYCHOLOGY AND COGNITIVE SCIENCES > 1701 Psychology > 170104 Forensic Psychology @ 20%
SEO Codes: 92 HEALTH > 9203 Indigenous Health > 920301 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health - Determinants of Health @ 50%
92 HEALTH > 9204 Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) > 920414 Substance Abuse @ 50%
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