clarify the «real picture» of
illicit drug use supported by data from the National Drug Strategy Household Survey
Not exact matches
Cannabis - primary respondents were even less likely to have
used formal treatment or
support services than were those resolving problems with
illicit drugs — 18 percent versus 42 percent — but were more likely to have participated in
drug courts than those who had resolved alcohol problems — 24 percent versus 8 percent.
While we are unable to investigate this further due to the nature of administrative data, this may reflect greater service
use, increased likelihood of intervention or increased
support for families with a mother who has been identified to have a mental health or history of
illicit drug use.
Outcome measures Participants completed online questionnaires about sociodemographic data, suicidality, history of DSH and SA, depressed mood, self - esteem, social
support, family discord, impulsivity (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale Version 11 (BIS - 11)-RRB- and the
use of alcohol, tobacco and
illicit drugs.
The Strengthening and
Supporting Families Coping with
Illicit Drug Use (Strengthening Families) measure is an early intervention, family focussed component of the National
Illicit Drug Strategy (NIDS).
Services are targeted at families to
support parents, grandparents, kinship carers and children of
drug -
using parents affected by
illicit drugs.
Thus,
illicit drug use may serve as an avenue to escape or dissociate from the immediate emotional pain, anxiety, and anger that likely accompany such experiences.46, 47 The current findings are
supported by previous studies that have reported associations between forms of childhood abuse and substance abuse in adolescents.46, 48,49 The adverse developmental and emotional impact of these interrelated childhood experiences, combined with behaviors inherent among this age group, 19 — 21 all may contribute to the especially strong graded relationship that we found in this age group.
Findings demonstrate an important pathway into child maltreatment and highlight the need for well -
supported programs for women who
use illicit drugs during pregnancy as well as the need for sustained long - term
support after birth.