Date of Conferral

2018

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

ROBERT MCWHIRT

Abstract

Cannabis use among teenagers in Canada is a concern because of the long-term and irreversible effects cannabis has on the developing body and mind. Nurses can be instrumental in screening for cannabis abuse by implementing a tool to assess for substance use disorder (SUD) and triage drug users to appropriate treatment. This project focused on how to implement the CRAFFT screening tool while gaining insight of the practitioner's knowledge base about the tool and how SUD is being screened for, currently. The CRAFFT screening tool aligns with the DSM-IV's SUD diagnosis criteria, allowing for efficient identification of those at risk for SUDs. Rotter's social-behavioural learning theory is presented to provide a greater understanding of how one's environment affects SUDs. Sources of evidence were primary health care providers (N = 10) at the health centre where this project was conducted. Data were collected before and after the participants engaged in the learning module on the CRAFFT screening tool. A descriptive analysis found that being acquainted with the tool allowed health care providers to understand the significance of screening for cannabis use among young adults and teenagers and to have more detailed documentation of patients' relationships with cannabis. The screening tool was favoured by 90% of the participants for cannabis use assessment after learning about the tool with this project. Nine out of ten of the participants indicated that they will now use the tool to aide in identifying SUD. Once SUD has been identified with the use of the CRAFFT screening tool, 80% of the participants indicated that they would refer their patients for further assessment and treatment for this substance abuse, which would promote positive social change.

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