Conference Proposal: Substance Abuse and Mental Health in Australia

This conference proposal addresses the growing concern of substance abuse and impaired mental health in Australia, focusing on cannabis abuse among adolescents and young adults. The report highlights the prevalence of cannabis use, its association with mental health disorders like schizophrenia and psychosis, and the availability of the drug. It discusses evidence-based interventions, including education, rehabilitation referrals, legislative policies, and psychotherapeutic approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy. The evaluation outcome is assessed through annual surveys, and the conclusion emphasizes the need for preventive measures and policy revisions to mitigate the adverse effects of cannabis abuse. The report references various studies and statistical data to support its claims and proposes solutions for students to understand this critical public health issue.

Running head: CONFERENCE PROPOSAL
CONFERENCE PROPOSAL
Name of the Student:
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Author Note:

1CONFERENCE PROPOSAL
Introduction:
Substance abuse and impaired mental health has emerged as a primary matter of
concern in Australia. Substance abuse disorders are caused due to excessive use of tobacco,
drugs and alcohol. Substance disorders are also referred to as addiction or increased
substance dependence. According to statistical evidence, it has been suggested that on an
average 1 in every 20 Australians suffer from a substance abuse issue (Healthdirect.gov.au,
2019). Research studies suggest that substance abuse problems cause damage to the brain as
well as other vital organs (Hall & Degenhardt, 2014). As stated by Mewton et al. (2013), the
problem of substance abuse triggers multiple mental health issues. In addition to this, it
should be noted that tobacco and alcohol are the most common substances that are abused
within Australia.
Upon evaluating the existing relationship between substance dependence and the
demographic level, the evidence base suggests that approximately 13% of the Australians that
are aged 14 years and above smoke on an everyday basis (Healthdirect.gov.au, 2019). Also,
smoking account for 8% of the total disease burden within Australia (Australian Institute of
Health and Welfare, 2019). In addition to this, research studies suggest that 1 out of every 6
adults in Australia consume alcohol more than that of the recommended level as the per the
Australian alcohol consumption guidelines (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare,
2019). Excessive alcohol consumption increases the risk of injuries, accidents, physical
health issues such as liver and cardiovascular disorder and mental health issues such as
violent behaviour and acute psychosis (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2019).
In addition this drug abuse in the form of exploiting prescription medications,
sedatives and illegal drugs such as cannabis and amphetamines also elevates the risk of
developing mental health disorders (Ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au, 2019). Research studies suggest

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that the most common drugs abused in Australia include methamphetamines, cocaine, ecstasy
and Cannabis (V, 2019). It has further been mentioned in this regard that excessive drug
abuse leads to mental health issues such as Schizophrenia, Bipolar disorder and Psychosis
(Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2019).
Problem Statement:
According to a report published by Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2019),
Cannabis has been mentioned to be the most commonly abused illicit drug in Australia. It
should be noted in this context that Cannabis has been identified as the second most common
illicit drug that results in the largest amount of deaths in Australia. The most common
Cannabis species that are harvested in Australia include the Cannabis sativa and Cannabis
indica (Hall & Degenhardt, 2014). The drug is generally available in three forms that include
marijuana or Herbal cannabis. Herbal cannabis refers to the dried leaves and flowers of the
plant and has reported to be the weakest form (Ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au, 2019). The second
form refers to Cannabis resin or hashish which is basically the dried resin from the plant
(Ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au, 2019). The third form includes the hashish oil or cannabis oil
which is extracted from the resin and has been studied to be the strongest form of the drug
(Ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au, 2019). The drug cannabis is smoked in combination with tobacco
in a rolled cigarette joint or a water pipe. Also, the cannabis oil is applied on the surface of
cannabis herb and is smoke or is heated and the vapours are inhaled.
The primary psychoactive substance of cannabis is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or
(THC). The percentage of THC is highest within the leaves and the flowering buds of the
plant (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2019). In addition to this, Cannabis
comprises a total of 70 distinct chemicals which are collectively known as Cannabinoids
(Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2019). The drug acts as a depressant for the

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central nervous system and on consuming large quantities elicits a characteristic
hallucinogenic effect by altering the sensory perceptions (Mewton et al., 2013). According to
a survey report on substance abuse, it was stated that among the illicit drugs abused within
Australia, Cannabis was the easiest to obtain which suggest wide availability of Cannabis
(Aph.gov.au, 2019).
In addition to this, the research reports further mentioned a high prevalence of
cannabis use among school students aged 14 years. On evaluating the source of the drug, it
was found that the source of the drug was majorly friends and drug dealers. As reported by
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2019), it was found that 35% of the children 14
years and above has used Cannabis regularly. In addition to this Cannabis use has been
reported to be 22% among the younger adults aged 20 years (Australian Institute of Health
and Welfare, 2019). Also, cannabis use has been reported to be higher in males (13.4%)
against (8.3%) in women (Aph.gov.au, 2019).
Cannabis abuse among the adolescents and the young have led to serious problems
such as accidental poisoning and serious mental health disorders such as Schizophrenia,
depressive disorders and anxiety related disorders. Also, in between 2013 to 2016, the
proportion of mental illness among the Cannabis users for the previous 12 months have
increased from 20% to 27% (Ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au, 2019). This suggests that there is a
need to adapt preventive measures so as to reduce the prevalence of cannabis abuse among
the adolescents and the young individuals so as to ensure a healthy outcome.
Evidence Based Intervention:
The evidence based intervention for Cannabis abuse among adolescents and adults
include prohibiting Cannabis abuse through education and awareness programs. In addition to
this, organizing rehabilitation referrals can help in treating patients dealing with Cannabis

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abuse. In addition to this, the evidence base also suggests that implementing legislative
policies such as banning cannabis use or imposing civil penalties on minors engaging in
Cannabis use can help in preventing the abuse and associated mental health risks among the
adolescents aged 14 years and above (Aph.gov.au, 2019). Further, the use of
psychotherapeutic interventions such as cognitive behavioural therapy and counselling within
the rehabilitation workshops can help in addressing the problem of Cannabis abuse among
the minors and young adults (Copeland et al., 2014).
Evaluation Outcome:
The evaluation outcome can be accessed on the basis of annual national survey on
reported Cannabis abuse prevalent within the minor and the younger adults. The reduced
prevalence statistics and increased awareness in relation to mental health and Cannabis abuse
can help in acquiring positive mental health outcome.
Conclusion:
Therefore, to conclude, it can be mentioned that Cannabis abuse among the minors
and young adults in Australia has emerged as a primary problem. Cannabis abuse has directly
been linked to mental health disorders such as Psychosis and Schizophrenia. In order to
address the issue, implementing interventions such as counselling, organizing rehabilitation
workshops and revising policies in relation to Cannabis abuse among the minors can help in
addressing the scenario.

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References:
Aph.gov.au (2019). A Critical Overview of Australian Approaches to Cannabis – Parliament
of Australia. [online] Aph.gov.au. Available at:
https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/
Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp0102/02RP06 [Accessed 20 May 2019].
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2019). Alcohol, tobacco & other drugs in
Australia, Cannabis - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. [online] Australian
Institute of Health and Welfare. Available at:
https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/alcohol/alcohol-tobacco-other-drugs-australia/
contents/drug-types/cannabis [Accessed 20 May 2019].
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2019). Illicit use of drugs Overview - Australian
Institute of Health and Welfare. [online] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
Available at: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports-data/behaviours-risk-factors/illicit-use-
of-drugs/overview [Accessed 20 May 2019].
Copeland, J., Clement, N., & Swift, W. (2014). Cannabis use, harms and the management of
cannabis use disorder. Neuropsychiatry, 4(1), 55.
Hall, W., & Degenhardt, L. (2014). The adverse health effects of chronic cannabis use. Drug
testing and analysis, 6(1-2), 39-45.
Healthdirect.gov.au (2019). Managing your alcohol intake. [online] Healthdirect.gov.au.
Available at: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/managing-your-alcohol-intake
[Accessed 20 May 2019].
Healthdirect.gov.au (2019). Substance abuse. [online] Healthdirect.gov.au. Available at:
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/substance-abuse [Accessed 20 May 2019].

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Mewton, L., Slade, T., & Teesson, M. (2013). An evaluation of the proposed DSM-5
cannabis use disorder criteria using Australian national survey data. Journal of studies
on alcohol and drugs, 74(4), 614-621.
Ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au (2019). Cannabis use and mental health among Australian adults:
Findings from the National Survey of Mental Health and Well-Being | NDARC -
National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre. [online] Ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au.
Available at: https://ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au/resource/cannabis-use-and-mental-
health-among-australian-adults-findings-national-survey-mental [Accessed 20 May
2019].