The Canadian Addiction Survey (CAS) is the first national prevalence survey dedicated to alcohol, cannabis and other drug use since 1994.
The 2004 Canadian Addiction Survey (CAS), published as CAS Highlights (November, 2004), CAS Detailed Report (March, 2005), and CAS Microdata eGuide (June, 2005), included a brief six-item screener to measure problematic drug use. The screener, the ASSIST, was developed by the World Health Organization.
An error was recently found in one symptom (represented by two items: CNAS5 and ASSIS5) of the ASSIST scale. Properly stated, the question is "Have you ever tried [AND FAILED] to control, cut down or stop using cannabis, marijuana or hashish {or other drugs}. The phrase "and failed" was not asked of respondents. This error, in turn, affects the following derived variables: ASISTCAN, ASISTCN3, ASISTCN2, ASISTIL and ASISTIL3.
NOTE: A small study to assess the impact of the missing "and failed" phrase suggested that estimates with the missing phrase underestimate the standard ASSIST item, but total scores and their cutoffs do not differ significantly between the two versions. This error should not affect estimates of subgroup differences (i.e., sex, age and regional differences). Caution and warning should be used in making direct comparisons with other studies using the ASSIST. For reference to specific places in each of the three documents that were affected by the error, please go to Errata: CAS Highlights, Errata: CAS Detailed Report, and Errata: CAS Microdata eGuide.
The CAS is the first national survey dedicated to alcohol, cannabis and other drug use since 1994. It is one of the most detailed and extensive surveys of its kind ever conducted in Canada.
The CAS provides a detailed picture of how Canadians aged 15 years and older use alcohol, cannabis and other drugs, and the impact that use has on their physical, mental and social well-being. The survey also questions Canadians about their attitudes toward measures to control drug use, and on their beliefs about the availability of drugs and the risks associated with use.
This information, when compared with past studies, indicates trends in drug use and harms associated with use. Researchers, addiction specialists and policy-makers can use this information to determine where financial and human resources are most needed.
A total of 13,909 Canadians participated in the CAS, with a minimum of 1,000 in each province. Current plans are to repeat the CAS in the future.
Alcohol use: