Development of a Community-Based Network to Promote Anti-Drug Messaging and Identify Hidden Drug Abusers in Hong Kong

Ka Yan Ho (), Ka Wai Katherine Lam, Edmond Tak Fai Tong, Shara Ho, Cynthia Sau Ting Wu, Man Nok Tong, Lai Ngo Tang and Yim Wah Mak
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Ka Yan Ho: School of Nursing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China
Ka Wai Katherine Lam: School of Nursing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China
Edmond Tak Fai Tong: School of Nursing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China
Shara Ho: Community Health Organisation for Intervention, Care and Empowerment, Hong Kong SAR, China
Cynthia Sau Ting Wu: School of Nursing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China
Man Nok Tong: School of Nursing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China
Lai Ngo Tang: School of Nursing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China
Yim Wah Mak: School of Nursing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 18, 1-12

Abstract: Developing a community-based network by training peers as anti-drug ambassadors (ADAs) is a feasible strategy to identify hidden drug abusers. The Ask, Warn, Advise, Refer and Do-it-again (AWARD) model of smoking cessation is useful for enhancing people’s confidence in making referrals to anti-drug services. This study evaluated the effectiveness of such a network by examining the change in knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of 198 ADAs aged 13–18 before and after six months of our training. A one-group pre-test and repeated post-test design was used. One-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was applied to assess the changes in KAP, with p -values adjusted by Bonferroni correction. The results showed that the ADAs statistically significantly improved their KAP regarding drug abuse at the six-month follow-up compared to baseline. All ADAs who knew drug abusers ( n = 3) had referred them to services based on the AWARD model. A total of 154 anti-drug abuse activities were conducted, reaching 4561 people. Based on the results, we concluded that the community-based network was effective in improving the KAP of ADAs regarding drug abuse, as well as referring hidden drug abusers. Future studies should consider implementing the network on a larger scale, thus maximizing its anti-drug capacity.

Keywords: hidden drug abuse; community-based network; anti-drug ambassadors; referral; health promotion (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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