IPSY8can - Life skills programme for cannabis prevention

Initiated by the Cannabis Act, there is a particular need for the prevention of early and heavy use of psychoactive substances with a specific focus on cannabis for adolescents in Germany. Against this background, the aim of the planned project is to develop and evaluate a theory- and evidence-based prevention programme to prevent early and heavy cannabis use and thus further negative consequences among young people. A school-based approach will be implemented in order to reach entire cohorts before they start using cannabis. Based on the positive evaluation findings, the IPSY life skills programme is rated on the "Green List Prevention" as particularly recommendable for implementation in schools and is also recommended and applied by other specialist agencies as an excellent contribution to addiction prevention in schools. Based on the existing programme in grades 5 to 7, a new programme (IPSY8can) will be developed for grade 8 that explicitly addresses cannabis use. The newly developed IPSY8can programme will be analysed in terms of its implementation (acceptance and feasibility) and the effects on the participating pupils will be examined as part of a large-scale evaluation study. Following a successful review, the programme will be made available for school practice.

Project management
Associate Prof. Dr Karina Weichold

Project staff
Dr Theresa Manges (teaching associate|research associate|academic staff)
Franziska Kreittmayr (student assistant)

Funded/supported by
Federal Institute of Public HealthExternal link

Homepage of the IPSY8can project
www.ipsy.uni-jena.de/ipsy-8-can de

contact
Ipsy8can@uni-jena.de