Grant: Catalyst Grant: Prevention and Treatment of Illicit Substance Use

Cannabis use is highly prevalent among young people, and specifically among university students. Its use is associated with a variety of health risks and harms, the odds of which are highest among high frequency cannabis users. While not all frequent users are in need of treatment and substance use treatment resources are limited, this project - following successful models from the alcohol field - will develop and pilot test oral and written 'brief intervention' [BI] modules for frequent cannabis users among university students, providing information on health risks and strategies for risk reduction to be applied in non-specialist settings. Feasibility, effect sizes and short-term outcomes of the BI modules on cannabis use risks and harms will be evaluated in a controlled study design. Findings may have implications for targeted prevention delivery for high risk substance use in university settings, as well as will be used to inform the design and implementation of a large-scale trial of different BI- and treatment interventions for high-risk cannabis use.