Citation

Davis CG, Thomas G, Jesseman R, Mazan R. Addict. Res. Theory 2009; 17(3): 322-332.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/16066350802334587

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Health and social harms from cannabis use typically are assessed by comparing those who use to those who do not use. Recognizing that not all use of cannabis is necessarily problematic, we examine rates of self-reported harms as a function of frequency of use. Second, we assess the effectiveness of the cannabis portion of the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) as a screening tool for identifying problematic cannabis users. Data come from the Canadian Addiction Survey (CAS; N = 13,909) and the 2006 NWT Addictions Survey (2006 NWTAS; N = 1235).

RESULTS from both surveys indicate that harms are most likely among weekly and daily users. Although frequent users are at increased risk of harms, greater balance of sensitivity with specificity is obtained with the ASSIST screening tool using a somewhat higher threshold than what is suggested in clinical applications of the instrument. Implications for this higher threshold for public policy are discussed.

Keywords: Cannabis impaired driving

Language: en

Keywords

addiction; assessment; Cannabis harms