Click here for the
CanStop
Research Report
What is CanStop?
CanStop aims to reduce the harm associated with cannabis use.
The program includes:
- a 5-week cessation group run by peer educators
- training of peer educators
- CanStop Manual training (for community workers); and
- support groups
The content and resources for the CanStop Manual were developed by former cannabis users, therefore CanStop is designed to deal with the real issues cannabis users face, because those who have gone through the cessation process have first-hand knowledge of how to give up, and have offered their practical strategies for getting through withdrawal and maintaining abstinence.
CanStop started as a pilot program in 1997 as a response to the rising demand of cannabis users wanting to help to reduce or cease their use. At the time the only options available were individual counselling or groups such as Narcotics Anonymous, and those continue to remain the primary alternatives to CanStop in Western Sydney. Consultations revealed that cannabis users were interested and enthusiastic about responding to a peer-educator approach, and this was adopted to the extent of involving former cannabis users in the development and delivery of the program.
"I threw out my bong" - CanStop Participant
This group is usually open to anyone wanting to do something about their cannabis use, whether it be to stop using completely, or simply to use a bit less. WESDARC has previously run these programs and may continue to in the future, but is increasingly called upon to train community workers in the program, who then train local peer educators to facilitate the 5-week cessation groups.
The topics covered in the 5-week cessation groups are decided by the peer educators, with guidance from the program already developed. The program has an emphasis on being flexible which allows for any issues raised by participants throughout the 5 weeks to also be addressed by the program. Usual topics covered include:
- Barriers to quitting
- Withdrawal
- Alternatives to cannabis use
- Self-confidence & self-esteem
- Dealing with anger
- Stages of change
- Relapse prevention
"It was good to have people who knew what it was like to quit" - CanStop Participant
The only requirement to be a peer educator is 6 months abstinence from using cannabis and an interest in helping others to quit or reduce their use. It involves volunteering for approximately 25 hours of training. Where possible, payment for facilitating the 5-week cessation groups is encouraged. Peer educators decide on the content of the program they facilitate.
The training consists of group work, program planning, facilitation and communication skills, values and attitudes, knowledge of cannabis issues, skills for engaging different learning styles, designing an advertisement and stress and relaxation skills. The training program provides time to add to and change the program content to ensure it is relevant to the groups targeted or areas where the groups will be run.
Having a continuous on-going support group has proven to be an effective measure to both support participants after completing the 5-week cessation group, as well as current cannabis users waiting for a cessation group to start. This is because some people need longer to think about their cannabis use before they are able to successfully reduce or cease their use, and the support group may be the only place for some participants to be able to talk about cannabis related issues and socialise with others who no longer use.
The support group is directed by participants while peer educators are encouraged to take a role. Workers have a role in supporting the group and attending to administrative tasks such as organising the venue, advertising etc.
To make CanStop a self-supporting and sustainable program, WESDARC encourages community organisations who regularly provide services for people with cannabis issues to be trained in the CanStop program. This specifically targets, but is not limited to direct service providers in the areas of youth, mental health, and drug and alcohol.
The Worker Manual Training is tailored to meet the needs of the workers being trained, and includes topics such as:
- Overview of cannabis issues
- Needs analysis for a targeted cannabis program
- Establishing partnerships and working with others
- Conducting focus groups
- Utilising resources
- Funding submissions
- Recruitment and training of peer educators
- Supporting the cessation groups
- Evaluations and follow-ups