Cannabis Use Assocatiated With Depression in the Top End

James Cook University PhD student, Kylie Lee and her co-authors studied 106 people in three remote Aboriginal communities in Arnhem Land in 2005-2006.

Their objective was to determine the extent to which depressive symptoms were associated with heavy cannabis use.

Until now, there has been little research of this nature.

The study found a strong association between heavy cannabis use and moderate to severe depressive symptoms.

Ms Lee said this study found that 61 per cent of males and 58 per cent of female participants used cannabis at least weekly in 2005-2006.

Concurrent use of other substances was also common among heavy cannabis users - 100 per cent smoked tobacco, 47 per cent drank and six per cent sniffed petrol.

"Consistent with studies in non-Indigenous populations, the association between cannabis and depressive symptoms was clearest in heavy cannabis users," she said.

Mental illness is a well-recognised risk factor for substance misuse. In turn, some types of substance use exacerbate mental illness. A vicious cycle can be established.

The study concluded that, given the high prevalence of cannabis use and the emerging evidence of an association with mental disorders, there needs to be continued support to help reduce supply, and more prevention and treatment programs aimed at cannabis misuse and mental health disorders.

The Medical Journal of Australia is a publication of the Australian Medical Association.

CONTACT: Kylie Butler (AMA) 02 6270 5466 or 0417 652 488