Author:
Moebes Zakkaery R.,Card Kiffer G.,Koenig Brett,Benoit Cecilia
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Lower-risk substance use guidelines (LRSUGs) are an evidence-based harm reduction strategy used to provide information to people who use drugs so they can reduce harms associated with substance use.
Objectives
This study aimed to identify LRSUGs accessible to youth and to characterize the recommendations within these guidelines. The overall goal is to identify gaps in current LRSUGs and to inform researchers and policymakers of the kinds of health information youth can access.
Methods
We conducted a digital assessment using the Google search engine to identify LRSUGs that could be identified by youth when searching for official sources of information related to commonly used substances, including cannabis, caffeine, alcohol, hallucinogens, prescription opioids, nicotine, and/or prescription stimulants. LRSUGs were coded and data were extracted from them to identify gaps.
Results
One hundred thirty LRSUGs were identified; most focused on alcohol (n = 40, 31%), cannabis (n = 30, 23%), and caffeine (n = 21, 16%). LRSUGs provided recommendations about dosing (n = 108, 83%), frequency of use (n = 72, 55%), and when to use (n = 86, 66%). Most LRSUGs were published by health (n = 51, 39%) and third-sector organizations (n = 41, 32%), followed by provincial/state (n = 18, 14%), government (n = 14, 11%), municipal (n = 4, 3%), and academic (n = 2, 2%) sources. Only 16% (n = 21) of LRSUGs were youth-specific and one-quarter (n = 32, 25%) of LRSUGs provided gender-specific recommendations. Most guidelines featured information on short (n = 76, 58%) and long-term (n = 69, 53%) negative effectives and positive effects of substances (n = 56, 43%). Less than half (n = 50, 38%) of LRSUGs cited evidence in support of the information they provided.
Conclusions
We identified several areas in the current LRSUGs for youth that need to be addressed. Among the gaps are a lack of LRSUGs developed specifically for youth, a lack of youth engagement in developing harm reduction strategies centered around them, and a lack of evidence-based LRSUGs. Youth-oriented, evidence-based LRSUGs are needed to better support youth who use substances and help them manage the negative effects of substance use.
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Psychiatry and Mental health,Health Policy
Reference32 articles.
1. Youth | United Nations [Internet]. United Nations. 2022 [cited 7 June 2022]. Available from: https://www.un.org/en/global-issues/youth
2. Canada H. Government of Canada [Internet]. Canada.ca. / Gouvernement du Canada; 2020 [cited 2022Nov24]. Available from: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/canadian-student-tobacco-alcohol-drugs-survey/2018-2019-detailed-tables.html
3. Young MM, Saewyc E, Boak A, Jahrig J, Anderson B, Doiron Y, Taylor S, Pica L, Laprise P, Clark H. Cross-canada report on Student Alcohol and drug use: Technical report [Internet]. CCSA.ca. Ottawa: Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse; 2011. Available from: https://www.ccsa.ca/cross-canada-report-student-alcohol-and-drug-use-technical-report.
4. Kuntsche E, Knibbe R, Gmel G, Engels R. Why do young people drink? A review of drinking motives. Clin Psychol Rev. 2005;25(7):841–61.
5. Terry-McElrath Y, O’Malley P, Johnston L. Reasons for Drug Use among American Youth by Consumption Level, Gender, and Race/Ethnicity: 1976–2005. J Drug Issues. 2009;39(3):677–713.