Cannabis dependence and mental health perception amongst people diverted by police after arrest for cannabis-related offending behaviour in Australia.

BACKGROUND: Use of cannabis and other mind-altering drugs may be associated with violence or other offending behaviours. In many countries mere possession of the drug may be sufficient to lead to a criminal conviction and, therefore, a criminal record. Recent legal and policy reforms in Australia have led to development of cannabis diversion programmes.

OBJECTIVE: To describe substance misuse patterns and health perception in a consecutive series of young people in Queensland who were spared a criminal record because of a cannabis diversion scheme.

METHOD: Between 9 July 2001 and 24 August 2004, 640 men and 187 women were diverted through the Queensland Illicit Drug Diversion Initiative (QIDDI) for treatment at a hospital alcohol and drug service. In this cross-sectional study of their drug use history, participants also completed the Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS) for cannabis and the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28).

RESULTS: Almost 60% of participants were cannabis dependent (as determined by the SDS). Polysubstance use was also more prevalent amongst dependent participants. Self-reported health (GHQ-28) was poorer than expected from Australian normative data, and worse if participants were cannabis dependent. Applying the GHQ-28 threshold for psychiatric case identification (caseness), cannabis dependent participants had significantly higher level of caseness across all subscales of somatic concerns, anxiety, social dysfunction and depression. Dependent women registered the highest proportion of psychopathology, particularly anxiety and social dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS: Young cannabis users in Queensland who come into contact with the police are more likely than not to be dependent on the drug. Their high levels of psychopathology suggest that they are better placed in healthcare rather than the criminal justice system, and that appropriately responsive mental healthcare programmes are needed.