Table 3 Service providers’ practices related to youth cannabis use from survey data

Screening and assessment

26% report high, 43% moderate, and 31% low familiarity with screening

48% report screening/assessing often, 27% sometimes, and 23% rarely or never screen or assess

86% state it is their responsibility to screen or assess cannabis use in youth

“We need more tools on how to screen, and it should be required especially for public health nurses working with infants and young parents who are using.”

“We don’t have a standard screening process at work, and need more training on how to respond when youth say that it is used to cope with mental health, and it is legal which they think means it is safe.”

“It is hard to talk about this with youth and other professionals because it seems very political and people get very upset when you have a different opinion. It makes me uncomfortable to ‘assess’ this unless I have a really good rapport with the youth.”

Intervention & treatment

16% have a high level of familiarity with treating a cannabis use problem in youth

72% report there are inadequate services and treatments for youth using cannabis

“I don’t know any services that treat cannabis specifically in our town although we are in a rural community with few services and usually refer out of town for inpatient services at a general substance use program.”

“No services for cannabis. We are watching kids with mental health problems getting worse and have no services.”

“I don’t know how to work with a youth who doesn’t think it is a problem, also what to do when a youth has schizophrenia and keeps using cannabis.”

“I don’t treat cannabis and have nowhere to refer my patients once it has been assessed.”

“Mothers and fathers who are pregnant using cannabis or just cannabis in the household. How much use by parents is too much, cause for concern, [when to] call CAS?”

“Not knowing what to do when they don’t think it is a problem or how to ask questions without judging.”

Working with families

67% rarely or never work with families

15% often work with families

“Our centre offers little for families and doesn’t want us to offer individual sessions. They are referred to a 4-week family group and nothing else.” “I am just not sure how to include families as our services do not really welcome families especially when youth is over 18.”

Approaches, guidelines & standards of practice

18% have high level awareness of professional guidelines or standards of practice related to cannabis

“Not aware of my college or association guidelines and recommendations.”

“Need more info on safer use guidelines/harm reduction for cannabis use and youth.”

A lack of good macro level supports (schools, hospitals, community level, etc). Macro issues tend to be what cause the problems (poverty, racism, patriarchy, etc. and neoliberalism in general)

“I don’t feel like I have enough training or experience in harm reduction.”