A meta - analysis by the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre has linked frequent cannabis use in adolescence with reduced educational attainment and increased suicide risk but are there more to these findings than meets the eye?

The study that compares 'adult outcomes' of young people with different levels of cannabis use found that "Individuals who are daily users of cannabis before age 17 are over 60% less likely to complete high school or obtain a degree compared to those who have never used the drug."

Furthermore, daily users of cannabis during adolescence are seven times more likely to attempt suicide, have an 18 times greater chance of cannabis dependence, and are eight times as likely to use other illicit drugs in later life."

In the words of the researchers there are “clear and consistent associations between the frequency of adolescent cannabis use and all adverse young adult outcomes.”

The study, published in The Lancet today is already being cited as evidence in the argument against decriminalisation of cannabis. YoDAA warns against taking research that discovers "associations" and drawing conclusions about cause and effect. 

YoDAA hopes that the research can be viewed as one contribution to a large body of work that explores the complex relationship between determinants of health and substance use. Furthermore that these findings can trigger a broader conversation about the complex reasons why a person under 17 years may use cannabis daily in the first place. Could it be that trouble with school (and other factors such as emerging mental health concerns) actually act as determinants for problematic drug use?  

Interestingly, Youth workers know well that helping a young person with positive re-engagement with schooling and other supportive structures can actually play a key role in reduction and cessation of cannabis use.

You can read more about methodology and other findings of the meta-analysis here. Also check out the Youth AOD toolbox for other studies into determinants of substance use and concequences of cannabis use in adolescence.