This webinar shares findings from a qualitative study conducted in Ontario that examined how youth, parents, and service providers perceive youth cannabis use following legalization. Participants will learn about the range of risks and harms associated with youth cannabis use, as well as the barriers to reducing these harms. The webinar offers recommendations for more equitable, public health–oriented approaches to guide cannabis policies and social work practice.
Presenter Bio:
Dr. Toula Kourgiantakis is an Associate Professor in Social Work at Université Laval and Director of the PhD program. Her research focuses on youth mental health and addictions, suicide prevention, family involvement in treatment, and strengthening social work practice. She currently leads several projects on youth suicide prevention, including a SSHRC-funded study on suicide risk assessment in emergency departments and a Fonds de recherche du Québec funded study on the trajectories of girls aged 12–17 who have attempted suicide. Her research is grounded in over 30 years of clinical practice as a social worker and family therapist.
Angie Hamilton is a retired lawyer, the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Families for Addiction Recovery (FAR) and the parent of a child who struggles with addiction. Angie is a member of the Policy Committee of the Canadian Society of Addiction Medicine and a past Board Member of The Ontario Family Caregivers’ Advisory Network. Angie is or has been a member of various advisory panels for Toronto Public Health, The Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health of Ontario and The Canadian Centre for Substance Use and Addiction. She was a member of the National Board of MADD Canada and the Chair of their Public Policy Committee.