NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region

Tags: health, social sciences, addiction, youth

Objective(s): The overall objectives of the project are: 1) to study young studentsÆ (11-18 years old) consumption of psychoactive substances in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region; 2) to gather information on contextual elements linked to the phenomenon of psychoactive substance use from the teenagers, parents, elders and leaders perspectives.

Project Description: This licence is issued for the scientific research application No.953 The overall objectives of the project are: 1) to study young students’ (11-18 years old) consumption of psychoactive substances in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region; 2) to gather information on contextual elements linked to the phenomenon of psychoactive substance use from the teenagers, parents, elders and leaders perspectives. The research will involve the use of the DEP-ADO questionnaire for quantitative data collection. The DEP-ADO is a brief questionnaire that permits assessment of alcohol and drug use in adolescents and initial detection of problem or at-risk use. This research will take place in the schools and a research assistant will be employed to go to each class and explain the study in more detail to the youths. This questionnaire will be administered it in classrooms of schools in each of the six selected communities. Some examples of question asked by the DEP-ADO questionnaire: -In the last 12 months, have you used one or more of these substances (alcohol, amphetamines/speed, hallucinogens, cocaine, cannabis, glue / solvents, heroin) and if so, how often? -In the last 12 months, how many times have you had 5 drinks or more on a same occasion? -In the last 12 months, have you experienced problems at school because of your alcohol/drug use (e.g.: absences, suspension, lower grades, decreased motivation, etc.)? -In the last 12 months, have you felt as though the same quantities of alcohol or drugs have less effect on you now than they once did? The researchers will also conduct qualitative open-ended semi-structured interviews with 2 young students (11 to 18 years old), 2 parents, 2 elders and 2 leaders in each of the communities. Each interview will be allotted 60 minutes. Consent will be given on a standard consent form and the interviews will be recorded. All material will remain confidential. Example of questions asked during the interviews: -I would like you to tell me about alcohol and drug use in your community. -I would like you to tell me about alcohol and drug use by the members of your family/household. -I would now like you to tell me about your own use of alcohol and drugs. -At what point does alcohol or drug use become problematic?” The research report of this study will be made available in approximately three years at the place where the children were recruited and, during that same period of time, a presentation of the result of the study could be organized in the different communities involved in the research process. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted in Paulatuk and Inuvik from 20-Jan-2009 to 30-Jun-2009.