Accessing Cannabis Users – Survey on Good Practice Approaches International conference: “Prevention and therapy of cannabis disturbances in Europe: status, projects, need for development” Berlin, 29-30 March 2007 This document should only be used in the context of an oral presentation. Isolated use of individual slides could lead to misunderstandings.

Initial situation Cannabis is the most-used illegal drug in Europe Increased professional and public awareness of (problematic) cannabis use Increased demand for (addiction-specific) care (from drug addiction treatment and psychiatric services) Low number of young cannabis users reached by drug addiction treatment centres 2

Consequences Developing target group-specific and needs-oriented programmes Improving access and promoting acceptance of the programmes Differentiating programmes according to risk groups Training workers etc. 3

Task Identification and analysis of good practice approaches in terms of accessing young cannabis users: in drug addiction treatment and in other related fields Features of the target group Cannabis use Up to the age of 21 (in some cases, 27) Involvement of dependents / important reference persons 4

Period of the survey and evaluation: Question Why is it that certain centres and/or projects have more success in reaching young cannabis users than others? Period of the survey and evaluation: January – June 2006 5

Research aspects Which (specific) programmes are provided? How did they come into being? How are young cannabis users accessed? What is the project/ programme structure like? Which preconditions exist in terms of infrastructure and organisation? What guidelines, basic assumptions, attitudes and training are they based upon?

Process Researching projects that have ‘above average’ success in reaching young cannabis users or offer specific programmes for the target group, using, for example: Databases, specialist libraries Specialist journals Publications from professional associations Internet research Responsible regional authorities and professional associations 6

Large-scale questionnaire (N = 177 centres) 16% 72% 12% No information (N = 29) Centres with additional information (N = 20) Centres with written answers (N = 128) 7

Types of programmes (N = 156) 56% 28% 3% 12% 1% Individual projects (N = 86) Standard programmes (N = 44) Special facilities (N = 19) Outpatient clinics (N = 2) Prevention centres (N = 5) 9

Range of programmes (selection) I 100% 81% 80% 62% 60% 40% 24% 26% 17% 19% 17% 20% 0% Individual counselling Training course Psychotherapy Online advice Experiential education Cannabis consultation Outpatient rehabilitation 10

Range of programmes (selection) II 100% 80% 63% 60% 49% 45% 40% 17% 21% 20% 0% Advising institutions Counselling of parents etc. Parental courses Outreach work Multiplier work 11

Reaching of target group 2005 Approx. 13,000 persons reached in total. Average no. reached per project/centre, etc: Individual projects (65) Specialised drug treatment centres (158) Outpatient psychiatric clinics (280) Drug prevention centres (170) 12

Reaching of target group Age groups (N=105) aged 18 and below 44.5 % 19-21 years old 36.4 % 22-27 years old 19.1 %

Access routes (N = 159 projects) 16% 17% 26% 18% 23% Self-referrals Parents/dependents Judiciary, police, juvenile courts and probation services Schools, youth services Other (including companies, hospitals, doctors) 13

Due to compulsory orders 85 % Exclusively voluntarily 15 % Access routes (N = 159) Due to compulsory orders 85 % Exclusively voluntarily 15 % Considerable “parental influence” 14

In-depth survey (N = 24 projects) Inclusion of various information sources and evaluation of relevant projects (e.g. FreD, realize it, Inside-at-school) Evaluation of materials (e.g. concepts, annual reports) Conducting an in-depth (oral) survey 8

In-depth survey (N = 24 projects) Criteria for selection included: Considerable number reached Comprehensive range of programmes Federal states, urban/rural areas, Switzerland, Austria Cooperation with related care sectors

Measures for improving access Public relations work Cooperation agreements Public prosecution service and judiciary Youth services and schools Work and employment 15

(Structural) regulatory frameworks Regional planning and responsibilities Cooperation with youth and psychiatric care services Specific intervention concepts in school settings 16

(Organisational) regulatory frameworks (Traditional) youth and drug counselling centres New facilities with a focus on “Youth and Addiction” Self-evaluation and “new image” Risk assessment of using cannabis (Conceptual) further development Worker training 17

Recommendations Improving access by: developing sustainable forms of cooperation “from probationary orders to medical referrals” PR work, increasing profile and improving image “from drug counselling to citizen-friendly services” developing programmes “from individual projects to a comprehensive range of services” 18