In Canada, youth ages 16-24 have the highest rates of cannabis use, impaired driving, and express the least concern for driving under the influence of cannabis (DUIC). As such, developing effective and practical DUIC prevention efforts is crucial. This study aims to evaluate the effects of 'High Alert' in reducing 3-month risky cannabis use and DUIC among young Ontarian drivers. 'High Alert' is an interactive web-based smartphone application developed by the research team with the feedback of experts and youth. 'High Alert' modules focus on recognizing what constitutes risky cannabis use, the effects of cannabis on driving, the risks of DUIC, and strategies to avoid DUIC. A pilot randomized controlled trial will compare the effects of 'High Alert' with an active control (DUIC Information) and passive control (no contact). Overall, effectively preventing DUIC among youth is critically needed and time-sensitive.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
103
Participants assigned to the 'High Alert' condition will complete four interactive modules using their smartphones. These modules are hosted online via the Computerized Intervention Authoring Software, version 3.0 (https://www.cias.app \[CIAS\]). CIAS is a non- commercial, easily modifiable, web-based intervention platform used widely in the digital substance use literature. No identifiable information is requested or stored in CIAS. This program is only intended to deliver the content interactively. None of the questions asked in CIAS will be treated as research data. We will only report on the proportion of questions answered by participants (as a measure of adherence). Individual responses to questions will not be analyzed nor reported on. The purpose of the questions is for participants to engage with the content interactively
Participants in the DUIC Information condition will receive a Qualtrics link with six infographics created to educate about DUIC. Four infographics were retrieved from government websites, one was provided by a non-profit (i.e., Arrive Alive Drive Sober), and the research team created the final one. After reviewing each infographic, participants will respond to a few questions about the infographic. Questions asked to the DUIC Info Control will obtain data related to: seeing the infographic before, perceptions on the infographic content, aspects they liked/disliked, and likelihood to share with their peers. All items will be treated as research data.
Participants in the passive control will receive no contact until the three and six-month follow-ups.
Western University
London, Ontario, Canada
Past driving under the influence of cannabis
"in the past three months, how many times have you driven within two hours of inhaling cannabis or within four hours of ingesting cannabis". Continuous variable (min=0, no maximum). Higher numbers indicate worse outcome (i.e., more impaired driving).
Time frame: 3-months
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