A UQ centre will tomorrow launch an educational video designed to provide detailed information on the effects of cannabis use.
The Queensland Alcohol and Drug Research and Education Centre (QADREC) will present the video entitled Cannabis: What’s the Deal? It has been designed for minor cannabis offenders eligible for Police Diversion under the Queensland Illicit Drug Diversion Initiative funded by the Commonwealth Government.
QADREC Project Manager Craig Carmichael said the video would give users of cannabis a chance to consider the health impacts of the drug.
“Cannabis: What’s the Deal? has been specifically developed to provide straightforward, accurate, and up-to-date information to diversionary clients,” he said.
As a result of the Queensland Illicit Drug Diversion Initiative individuals apprehended with small amounts of cannabis may be offered the opportunity to undertake a drug assessment and education session through local health services as an alternative to attending court.
“Since the introduction of police diversion in Queensland more than 7500 individuals have had the opportunity to realistically examine their drug use and gain accurate information about the health and social impacts of cannabis,” Mr Carmichael said.
The video, which was produced by UQ’s VideoVision in association with QADREC, will feature interviews with health professionals and comments from cannabis smokers on the range of health impacts associated with cannabis use. It will be presented by Karina Kelly from the ABC science program Catalyst.
The resource will also feature prominent researchers and clinicians from the University, including Professor Wayne Hall, Professor John Saunders and Dr Vivienne O’Connor.
QADREC is a collaborative initiative of The University of Queensland’s School of Population Health and Queensland Health. The Centre provides education in alcohol and drug related areas at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. It also delivers training and support to professionals and is engaged in a number of nationally significant research projects.
“Around 125 service providers across Queensland have been trained by QADREC to deliver the Drug Diversion Assessment Program,” Mr Carmichael said.
The launch of Cannabis: What’s the Deal? will be held at The Senate Room in the Brian Wilson Chancellery Building on the St Lucia campus between 11.30am and 1pm.
For more information, contact Craig Carmichael on (telephone 07 3365 5421, email: c.carmichael@sph.uq.edu.au) or UQ Communications (telephone 07 3365 3367, email: communications@uq.edu.au).
