“I don’t think marijuana counts as a drug”: Drug & alcohol use amongst South Sudanese youth in Australia
Aims: To understand alcohol and other drug (AOD) use and its impact among South Sudanese youth in Melbourne, Australia. Methods: This qualitative exploratory study was underpinned by the psychosocial conceptual framework. We undertook semi-structured interviews with 23 South Sudanese youth...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Taylor and Francis
2021
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/86968 |
| Summary: | Aims: To understand alcohol and other drug (AOD) use and
its impact among South Sudanese youth in Melbourne,
Australia.
Methods: This qualitative exploratory study was underpinned
by the psychosocial conceptual framework. We undertook
semi-structured interviews with 23 South Sudanese youth aged
14-21 years to explore attitudes and potential harms of AOD
use. We also undertook focus groups with these participants
and a focus group of 11 South Sudanese community elders
and parents. Feedback on results was obtained through two
forums with community members. The data collected were
analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results: The participants revealed that AOD use was common,
specifically the use of cannabis. The participants believed that
there was a lack of basic understanding of the potential harm
of cannabis use. The results also highlighted that the community
was unaware how the use of drugs and alcohol can contribute
and exacerbate poor mental health. Cannabis was a
regular drug of choice used by young South Sudanese in this
study. It was used daily as a coping mechanism both for stress
and for undiagnosed mental health.
Conclusion: The results of this study indicate increased potential
harm for South Sudanese youth from AOD use. Of concern
was a lack of diagnosis and treatment for mental health wellbeing
due to the beliefs around AOD use. Without targeted
interventions this has significant implications for the South
Sudanese community and the young people affected. The significance
of these findings may assist in the delivery of AOD
treatment and improve health education for refugee youth. |
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