Cannabis : a discussion paper.

  • South Australia. Royal Commission into the Non-medical Use of Drugs.
Date:
1978
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Cannabis : a discussion paper. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    make any conclusion doubtful. On the evidence, however cannabis use amongst Hobart women between 18 and 60 years of age appears to occur only infrequently. The wide differences in the results obtained by these general population studies illustrate the difficulty that confronts any attempt to summarise the extent of cannabis use in Australia. The studies cited have used widely different techniques which undoubtedly have contributed to the widely different results. Which is the most correct? The Morgan poll is likely to be the most accurate of the studies mainly because of better sampling techniques and more experience in survey work. However, not enough is known about the methods used to assert this without qualification. Results of the other studies may be equally correct. What can we learn from these general population studies? Taking into account Hasleton’s hypothesis on permissiveness® and its relationship to admission of cannabis use, it would be reasonable to suggest that between 10% and 20% of the general population between the ages of 14 and 60 years may have used cannabis on at least one occasion. Carrying this proposition further, the studies of drug use carried out suggest that between 2% and 12% of the population may have used cannabis within the last month. Use of cannabis is, however, likely to be infrequent and on an occasional basis only. It is not yet possible to make any more specific claims about the use of cannabis amongst the general population because of a lack of adequate information. The wide range of results illustrates some of the problems researchers have had in categorising use. One aspect of the general population studies which can be examined in more detail is drug use amongst young people. The population studies suggest a high prevalence of cannabis use amongst young people. There have been a number of drug use surveys in Australia whick deal with young populations. AT RISK SURVEYS Survey of groups ‘at risk’ (the special population survey) has been by far the most popular technique employed in Australia in examining drug use. While there have been few studies surveying total populations, numerous Australian studies have examined special populations. This emphasis reflects the community and government concern with the ‘drug problem’, particularly as it relates to children, students and other vulnerable groups. There are also practical reasons for researchers to prefer special population surveys. In Australia the emphasis on surveys of particular populations has been connected with the report of the Senate Committee on Drug Traffick- ing and Drug Abuse (1971), which recommended funding for surveys in schools as part of its discussion of drug education programs. Special populations, such as teftiary or secondary school students, are also more readily accessible than general populations and, therefore, the costs of surveying them are very much less.