Pat Sanagan, Patricia Scott-Jeoffroy, Parent Action on Drugs

1. Responding to Problematic Marijuana Use on Campus: A Report From the Field Pat Sanagan, Patricia Scott-Jeoffroy, Parent Action on Drugs Parent Action on Drugs/BACCHUS

2. “It’s natural, it’s the herb, there are no chemicals so it’s safe”. From ‘Reefer Madness’ to the ‘anti-generation’. Reasons and influences. Level of use. Contextualizing Youth Marijuana Use Parent Action on Drugs/BACCHUS

3. to report on a series of consultations held with campus health and residence staff addressing marijuana use on campus. 2. to identify what is defined as problematic marijuana use from their perspectives. 3. to review best practices in responding to problematic use. 4. to review the participants’ “go-forward” recommendations based on discussions at the consultations. 5. to provide resources that will support these recommendations. 6. to provide an opportunity for ongoing dialogue about the issues and responses. Session Objectives Parent Action on Drugs/BACCHUS

4. Parent Action on Drugs (PAD) begun 25 years ago by parents in Ontario initiated peer education programming in 1985 mandate is to address issues related to youth substance use develops and provides a growing bank of programs and resources for youth, professionals and parents and caregivers PAD is a member of the Ontario Health Promotion Resource System WWW Sponsoring Organization Parent Action on Drugs/BACCHUS

5. Pilot Project (2005 – 2007) 11 Youth – ages 15 – 22, users and non-users, from across Ontario. Ontario Drug Awareness Partnership, Grey Bruce FOCUS Community Project. Choices, Alcohol and Drug Counselling for Youth; Breakaway, Youth and Family Services. 3 Secondary Schools in Toronto and 4 Secondary Schools in rural Grey Bruce. Phase 2 – + Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (2007-2008) Phase 3 – + BACCHUS/Student Life Education (2008-2009) WWW Partners Parent Action on Drugs/BACCHUS

6. Health Canada, Drug Strategy Community Initiatives Fund Supportive funding from Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion in-kind support from our partners Funding for the WWW project was provided by: Parent Action on Drugs/BACCHUS

7. Spring 2007 – campus health professionals first identify a need to talk about responding to problems with marijuana use on campus Fall, 2007 – 1st presentation at OCHA (Ontario Campus Health Association)and BACCHUS regional meeting. Spring/Summer 2008 – larger consultation, needs assessment completed and Training Workshop developed. Fall, 2008 – OCHA provincial meeting and call for partners. Winter, 2009 – 2 day-long workshops (Waterloo and Ottawa).Partners: Wilfrid Laurier University, Algonquin College and the Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy at Ottawa University. Consultation process Parent Action on Drugs/BACCHUS

8. During 1st discussions, three areas of concern were noted: Responding to students individually and counselling them regarding their use Lack of awareness about potential risks with a larger population Campus and residence policy which suspended or evicted students who were caught using marijuana Consultation results Parent Action on Drugs/BACCHUS

9. 73% - Awareness– There is a generalized mind-set with users, and even some non-users which says, “There are no problems with weed”. 67% - Policy - Students evicted from residence for their use which has continued in some cases even after a fine or legal actions. 51% - Support - Individuals are showing clinical signs of problematic use. Other concerns negative behaviour with drug use, criminal/stigma issues concerns from other students Replicated in Pre-Workshop needs assessments Parent Action on Drugs/BACCHUS

10. See Reference List: Statistics on Use in Ontario Injuries and Impaired Driving Chronic disease Addiction and mental health problems The science of problematic marijuana use Parent Action on Drugs/BACCHUS

11. Risks usually associated with: Effects of the drug (which for most acts as a CNS depressant but which may act as a stimulant, an hallucinogen or a pain reliever) along with amount and pattern of use. Mindset or specific biochemistry of the user. Setting in which the substance is taken – e.g. hotboxing in residence. Drug, Set and Setting Parent Action on Drugs/BACCHUS

12. ‘Marijuana continues to be acknowledged in a nebulous fashion without interest in either anecdotal or empirical evidence about risks..’ Dennis Long, Executive Director, Breakaway And yet… Parent Action on Drugs/BACCHUS

13. Cannabis – one of the most popular psychoactive substances in the world. Numerous benefits and prescribed in Canada. The challenges of “vice” education and the quest for abstinence. 1970’s – current. “Popular approaches are ineffective. Effective approaches are politically impossible” (Robin Room, 2000) Quick history lesson Parent Action on Drugs/BACCHUS

14. To reduce problematic marijuana use among students. Definition of “problematic” – any use that is causing problems for users – with their health, at school, with their family, at their job, with the law, with their friends etc. To discuss problems, one needs to look at risks – and the perception of risks is limited. Goal of the “What’s With Weed” Project Parent Action on Drugs/BACCHUS

15. Increase awareness of the risks. Address attitudes about the risks. Increase opportunities for action to avoid or reduce the risks. And we can do this with populations or with individuals. We can address this in several ways: Parent Action on Drugs/BACCHUS

16. World Health Organization: "the process of enabling people to increase control over their health and its determinants, and thereby improve their health”. WWW and health promotion strategies at secondary schools Education and skill-building Re-orienting health services Community action Supportive environments Health promotion Parent Action on Drugs/BACCHUS

17. 1. Health promotion and population health approaches Awareness and education Supportive environments Healthy public policies Re-orienting health services Community action 2. Individual support Motivational counselling Stages of Change Two-pronged approach to campus problematic marijuana use Parent Action on Drugs/BACCHUS

18. Identify and involve the target group. Identify communication objectives (e.g. to increase awareness of risks with marijuana users). Develop key messages. Disseminate messages through appropriate channels. Evaluate responses and identify changes needed. Best practice - Awareness and Social Marketing Parent Action on Drugs/BACCHUS

19. Based on sound research. Comprehensive multisystemic & multilevel. Addresses strengths & protective factors. Makes sense to the targeted population. Includes evaluation. The intervention lasts in time. These elements are reinforced by collaboration which also becomes an important element of effective interventions. Best practice -Drug Education Parent Action on Drugs/BACCHUS

20. Universal: For the general population Targeted: For at risk populations/individuals Drug education can be Parent Action on Drugs/BACCHUS

21. Generally modest results. May change attitudes and knowledge but there is less effect on behaviour. Changing false beliefs more effective. Strategies involving resistance to peer pressure generally produce weak or no effects. Users, especially heavy users, show very few if any benefit from general interventions Universal drug education Parent Action on Drugs/BACCHUS

22. Targeted education specific to the drug. Peer interventions. Motivational counselling and Stages of Change. Online assessment. Harm reduction. What research demonstrates is useful for users… Parent Action on Drugs/BACCHUS

23. Harm Reduction nters into supportive relationship on blaming ives options cknowledges their choices ains awareness ducates around potential harm E N G A G E Parent Action on Drugs/BACCHUS

24. Assessment and feedback. Identifying pros and cons of use. Goal-setting. Identifying ways of dealing with risky drug-taking situations. Support, encouragement and suggestions come from the counsellor. All developed in a “Stages of Change” approach. Best practice - Counselling for Change Parent Action on Drugs/BACCHUS

25. Stages of Change • No problems – don’t bug me • Uuh… Problems – a little alarm is going off • Planning Time! – very important • Taking Action! - follow through – did it work? Parent Action on Drugs/BACCHUS

26. As part of overall health promotion strategies, policies tend to have the most impact in changing behaviour. Comprehensive drug response policies should include clear rules, regulations, and consequences, offered in tandem with: an educational strategy early intervention recommendations referral options for counselling and treatment. Best practice – Campus Drug Policies Parent Action on Drugs/BACCHUS

27. Alcohol use is addressed with education, intervention and punishment. Drug use is limited to punishment if mentioned at all. Drug use (usually referring to marijuana use) often results in immediate suspension or eviction. Alcohol use is more likely to be addressed in a stepped approach. Smoking (tobacco), while illegal in many areas, receives the least amount of consequences with usually a fine. Scan of existing campus policies Parent Action on Drugs/BACCHUS

28. Often it is up to Residence staff to interpret and deliver policy injunctions. The majority of workshop participants identified alcohol as much more problematic than marijuana use on campus. Policies addressing alcohol are more comprehensive and often meet criteria for best practice. Parent Action on Drugs/BACCHUS

29. 4 Corners "Absolutely" "Yes...but" "No Way" "No...but" Parent Action on Drugs/BACCHUS

30. drug use is a normal part of growing up there are more problems with marijuana use than alcohol use on campus students who break the rules about weed should suffer the consequences zero tolerance is a necessary policy for campus residences 4 Corner Discussions Parent Action on Drugs/BACCHUS

31. Developed by youth for youth. Accurate information on risks and risk reduction. Tested with student groups both universal and targeted. Program supports a harm reduction approach and options for change. Peer education is key in the secondary school component. Includes online assessment and feedback. www.whatswithweed.ca Best Practice - What’s With Weed Parent Action on Drugs/BACCHUS

32. What’s With Weed Resources • Posters • Matchbooks • Cards • DVD • Youtube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwJ32XegxD8 Parent Action on Drugs/BACCHUS

33. Samples of products for campus Matchbook Marijuana: Risks & Realities Booklet Poster Handout card Parent Action on Drugs/BACCHUS

34. At the workshops, three smaller groups looked at ways to increase opportunities to address: awareness/social marketing. responding to individuals. policy issues. Participants self-selected issues. Process and players important. From The Field: Responding to the Issues Parent Action on Drugs/BACCHUS

35. Social marketing and awareness: General Identify your role in increasing awareness of risks and risk reduction?(as a Don, Health Promoter, Peer Educator, Administrator). Continue to work across sectors to create a supportive environment. Social marketing campaigns directed at marijuana issues will be more challenging than other issues. Need to see/hear what others are doing. Take some time together to plan a comprehensive strategy. Terms of reference - staff need to decide where they stand on marijuana use/harm reduction and whether they are more comfortable turning a blind eye or following the policy as it is. Results and Recommendations Parent Action on Drugs/BACCHUS

36. Dons may need to increase awareness of the policy rather than the drug (‘major infraction”) to get attention of those who don’t see the problem. Use WWW resources (posters, matchbooks) to bring attention to the issue and the website Large group - General awareness. Use prizes to overcome reluctance. Dons meet ahead with interested students and other partners to plan. Could be week-long events. Start right – e.g.at orientation or early 2nd semester. Use campus messages that move from res to-res. Smaller group – 2 peer educators meet with 4-12 students with activities ( e.g. 4 corners), share stories. Non-judgmental approach (challenging but think about counselling re. impaired driving). Individual - Highlight the online tools in conversations with users www.whatswithweed.ca, www.etoke.com Programmatic suggestions Parent Action on Drugs/BACCHUS

37. 1. Review your role in responding– as a Don? as health promoter? as a counsellor? As a peer educator? As enforcement? There will and should be a variety of different players with different roles when responding to the individual. 2. Dons may need more information and support as “First responders” to help students take the first step towards counselling. Who will provide this support? 3. Assess your own attitudes, values and your institution’s policies towards marijuana use and harm reduction (e.g. there are some campus centres which do not promote HR counselling). Find your own support. 4. As a counsellor, follow general rules for engagement - building a relationship; working on openness; find out why they are using; talk them down from anger. Marijuana use doesn’t change the need for supportive counselling. 5. Collaborate with community supports and campus police to develop coordinated response. Responding to the individual: Recommendations Parent Action on Drugs/BACCHUS

38. 1. Key risks? health concerns, impact on roommate, monetary consequences, clinical symptoms of dependency (“perma high”, not able to function without use, building up tolerance) 2. Check out your use - use “What’s With Weed” resources for assessment tools. 3. Review “Stages of Change” information on website and in packages. Accept level of readiness to change. Person has to commit to exploring the issue. 4. “Are there changes you would like to make?” Create a “safe plan”, recommend using ½ as much as they may need to cut back for the summer. 5. Develop a contract with the student. 6. Identify psychoeducational opportunities e.g. small group work with education and skill-building activities. Specificissues to raise.. Parent Action on Drugs/BACCHUS

39. Review your role in policy review or development – as a Don, as a Health Promoter, as campus police etc. Review objectives – to change the policy or have students pay attention to current policy? In developing new policy, look for non- traditional partners - students in criminology, law, health, or social justice groups or campus media. Accept need for time to get it right. Policy Concerns - Recommendations Parent Action on Drugs/BACCHUS

40. Review ways that students learn about drug policy & the consequences. One campus has an annual survey to assess attention to their policies. Another has an awareness campaign - “Residence in NOT for everyone”. Promote the policy a couple of times a year – orientation and 2nd semester. Peer educators could be used in an awareness campaign about marijuana risks and responses on this campus, including what the policy states. Promotion of existing policy Parent Action on Drugs/BACCHUS

41. We are in the early stages of looking for effective responses. We would like to continue these discussions with the participants of this webinar. What are you seeing that is problematic? What responses are working for you? Or What have you heard about that you would like to test within your own environment? Continuing the dialogue… Parent Action on Drugs/BACCHUS

42. Look for a message about an online portal for a discussion group on responding to problematic marijuana use on campus. We will post the three scenarios to start the discussion. Comment on the scenarios according to the questions we pose – or pose your own. Or put forward your own scenario and what you are dealing with at your campus and get feedback from others. PAD will moderate the discussion. In the next two weeks… Parent Action on Drugs/BACCHUS

43. Any questions? For more information or to access other resources or other programs, contact: Diane Buhler, Parent Action on Drugs, (416) 395-4970 or 1-877-265-9279 pad@sympatico.ca www.parentactionondrugs.org Thank you! Closing Parent Action on Drugs/BACCHUS