NCJ Number
194682
Date Published
2001
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This report presents the methodology and findings of an Australian study that examined factors which might encourage regular cannabis users to stop or reduce their consumption of cannabis.
Abstract
The study, which was conducted between June 6 and June 11, 2001, involved a survey of a representative sample of 18- to 29-year-olds, the peak age group for cannabis use in Australia. Respondents were presented a range of scenarios and asked whether they would stop or reduce their cannabis consumption under each of these scenarios. They were also asked whether they would consider trying treatment for cannabis use if it were available. To estimate the risk of drug switching, respondents were asked whether they would use more alcohol, smoke more tobacco, or switch to other illicit drugs if cannabis became too expensive or too difficult to obtain. A total of 999 interviews were completed. The study findings indicated that although being arrested or imprisoned might discourage cannabis use, such measures were less likely to reduce consumption among frequent cannabis users than among those who used cannabis infrequently. Frequent cannabis users, on the other hand, were more likely than occasional cannabis users to report that they would seek treatment if it were available. They study also found evidence that regular cannabis users would respond to a shortage of cannabis or an increase in its cost by switching to other drugs such as tobacco. 1 table, 7 figures, 5 notes, and 20 references