Youth Suicide in Western Australia Involving Cannabis and Other Drugs WA Strategy Against Drug Abuse Occasional Paper Number 2

Following a discussion of methodological issues relevant to the evaluation of research on drug abuse & suicide, this report reviews the national & international literature on the contribution of harmful drug use to youth suicide. The possible contributory effects of alcohol, cannabis, & other illicit drugs to the death of 571 Western Australians, age 15-24, who died by suicide during 1986-1988 are examined. The literature on prevention strategies & programs targeting risk factors for harmful drug use & suicide is reviewed. Options for reducing the incidence of suicide attributable to the harmful use of alcohol & illicit drugs in Western Australia are discussed along with recommendations for how this might be achieved. (186 refs.)