Development and Evaluation of HighAlert

Summary

In Canada, youth ages 16-24 have the highest rates of cannabis use, impaired driving, and express the least concern for driving under the influence of cannabis (DUIC). As such, developing effective and practical DUIC prevention efforts is crucial. This study aims to evaluate the effects of 'High Alert' in reducing 3-month risky cannabis use and DUIC among young Ontarian drivers. 'High Alert' is an interactive web-based smartphone application developed by the research team with the feedback of experts and youth. 'High Alert' modules focus on recognizing what constitutes risky cannabis use, the effects of cannabis on driving, the risks of DUIC, and strategies to avoid DUIC. A pilot randomized controlled trial will compare the effects of 'High Alert' with an active control (DUIC Information) and passive control (no contact). Overall, effectively preventing DUIC among youth is critically needed and time-sensitive.

Conditions

• Cannabis
• Youth Drinking

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

High Alert

Participants assigned to the 'High Alert' condition will complete four interactive modules using their smartphones. These modules are hosted online via the Computerized Intervention Authoring Software, version 3.0 (https://www.cias.app \[CIAS\]). CIAS is a non- commercial, easily modifiable, web-based intervention platform used widely in the digital substance use literature. No identifiable information is requested or stored in CIAS. This program is only intended to deliver the content interactively. None of the questions asked in CIAS will be treated as research data. We will only report on the proportion of questions answered by participants (as a measure of adherence). Individual responses to questions will not be analyzed nor reported on. The purpose of the questions is for participants to engage with the content interactively

BEHAVIORAL

Information condition

Participants in the DUIC Information condition will receive a Qualtrics link with six infographics created to educate about DUIC. Four infographics were retrieved from government websites, one was provided by a non-profit (i.e., Arrive Alive Drive Sober), and the research team created the final one. After reviewing each infographic, participants will respond to a few questions about the infographic. Questions asked to the DUIC Info Control will obtain data related to: seeing the infographic before, perceptions on the infographic content, aspects they liked/disliked, and likelihood to share with their peers. All items will be treated as research data.

BEHAVIORAL

No contact

Participants in the passive control will receive no contact until the three and six-month follow-ups.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Western University, Canada

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

24 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-11-01

Primary Completion

2024-09-10

Completion

2024-09-10

Countries

• Canada

Study Locations