Development of a Community-based Network for Drug Abusers

Not Applicable

• Conditions: Adolescent
• Interventions: Behavioral: A video competition; Behavioral: A training workshop; Behavioral: A mass promotional campaign

• Registration Number: NCT04400526
• Lead Sponsor: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Brief Summary

Hidden drug abuse remains a significant concern for public health. An appropriate intervention is necessary to encourage hidden drug abusers to report their situations and seek professional help. This project aims to develop a community-based network to identify and refer hidden drug abusers in Hong Kong, and assess its effectiveness.

Detailed Description

This study will be completed within 18 months, and be divided into 3 Phases, including (1) a video competition for anti-drug abuse, (2) development of a community-based network through training 150 peers aged 13-18 as anti-drug ambassadors (ADAs) to deliver anti-drug messages based on the AWARD model, and (3) a mass promotional campaign organized by ADAs in the community. A one-group pre-test and repeated post-test design will be adopted to evaluate the overall effectiveness of the community-based network. We will assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding anti-drug abuse of the ADAs. Data collection will be conducted at baseline, post-training, 3 months and 6 months after the training workshop.

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2020-05
• Study First Submitted: 2020-05-13
• Study First Submitted QC: 2020-05-19
• Study First Posted: 2020-05-22
• Last Update Submitted: 2021-05-20
• Last Update Posted: 2021-05-24
• Study Start: 2021-09-01
• Primary Completion: 2023-07-01
• Study Completion: 2023-09-30

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: UNKNOWN
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 250

Inclusion Criteria

• Aged 13 - 18 years
• Able to speak Cantonese and read Chinese

Exclusion Criteria

• identified cognitive, behavioral or learning problem(s)
• identified mental illness(es)

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Phase 1: A video competition for anti-drug abuse	A video competition	Phase 1 aims to increase the public awareness of hazardous effects of drug abuses and existing resources available for drug abusers through a video competition. We will co-organize a video competition for anti-drug abuse with C.H.O.I.C.E. The competition will appeal to the participation of all children (aged 13-18) living in the four targeted districts.
Phase 2: Developing a community-based network	A training workshop	Phase 2 aims to develop a community-based network through training anti-drug ambassadors (ADAs). We target to recruit a total of 150 children aged 13 - 18 as ADAs through secondary schools and community centres in the four targeted districts by sending invitation letters. The content of the workshop will be designed by our expert panel. The content of the workshop will include (1) hazardous effects of drug abuse especially less psychotropic drugs such as Cannabis, (2) signs and symptoms of drug abuse particularly less psychotropic drugs like Cannabis, (3) alternatives to drug abuse, (4) community resources available, and (5) how to refer drug abusers. Besides, all children will be taught to use the AWARD model for referrals in the workshop.
Phase 3: A mass promotional campaign	A mass promotional campaign	Phase 3 aims to engage the public to join the community-based network through anti-drug activities organized by anti-drug ambassadors. They are encouraged to design their own promotional activities for community members in the targeted districts.Types of activities can include but not limited to health talks, booths, outreaching activities, games, posters, leaflets and websites.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in knowledge about the hazardous effects of drug abuse among ADAs by using Beat Drugs Fund Evaluation Question Set No. 2	Immediately after the training workshop	Change in knowledge about the hazardous effects of drug abuse among ADAs immediately after the training workshop when compared to baseline

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in knowledge about the hazardous effects of drug abuse among ADAs by using Beat Drugs Fund Evaluation Question Set No. 2	6 months after the training workshop	Change in knowledge about the hazardous effects of drug abuse among ADAs at 6 months after the training workshop when compared to baseline
Change in attitudes towards drug abuse and anti-drug abuse among ADAs by using Beat Drugs Fund Evaluation Question Set No. 1	6 months after the training workshop	Change in attitudes towards drug abuse and anti-drug abuse among ADAs at 6 months after the training workshop when compared to baseline
Change in anti-drug practices among ADAs by using Anti-Drug Practice Questionnaires	6 months after the training workshop	Personal development questions among ADAs at 6 months after the training workshop when compared to baseline

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Ka Yan HO; 🇭🇰 Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China, Hong Kong