Experiences of professionals working with pre-adolescent children who are using psychoactive substances in Regina, SK

The purpose of this thesis research was to 1) explore the pathways to seeking and accessing support for substance use among pre-adolescents from the point of view of professionals working with children under age of 12, and, 2) examine how these professionals’ views on pre-adolescent substance use inform what services this population receives. The goal of the study was not only to understand how preadolescents access services for substance use but how the views of professionals assist or create barriers to accessing these services. The study used a qualitative, multiple case study method to interview four service providers, representing different jurisdictions and services, who worked with children and their families in Regina, SK. Five key themes emerged from the study: (1) the main pathway that leads to pre-adolescents receiving addictions services is through family involvement with child protection services; (2) a system of services within Regina, SK is fractured with many organizations providing mental health and addictions services but none specializing on the pre-adolescent population; (3) the perceptions of and beliefs about substance use among preadolescents’ that service providers have inform their practice; (4) service providers emphasize education and prevention to reduce pre-adolescent substance use; and (5) there are assumptions that Indigenous children are more likely to be involved in substance use than their non-indigenous counterparts.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Social Work (MSW)

Level thesis:degree_level

Master's

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Social Work

Grantor dc:publisher

Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, University of Regina

Year dc:date.issued

2023

Author dc:creator

• Nielsen, Rhonda Lee

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Novotna, Gabriela

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Fletcher, Kara
• Gebhard, Amanda

Language dc:language.iso

en

DOI

https://doi.org/10.82465/4236

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:uregina.scholaris.ca:10294/16104