Overview of the Research

Our diagnosis co-lead, Dr. Mansfield Mela, is doing research on the use of cannabis in adults with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).

Some people with FASD use pot (also known as marijuana, weed, cannabis) to help them with their health problems. Researchers think that adults with FASD might use pot more often than other adults, but they don’t know much about it.

The researchers want to know:

1. How much adults with FASD use pot
2. Why adults with FASD use pot
3. What adults with FASD think are good and bad things about using pot

Eligible participants

The researchers are looking for adults with FASD to complete a survey about their experiences with pot. It might take you between 30 and 90 minutes to finish the survey. In order to complete the survey, you have to:

• Be over 18-years-old
• Live in Canada
• Have an FASD diagnosis (or a diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), Alcohol Related Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (ARND), Alcohol Related Birth Defects (ARBD) or Neurodevelopmental Disorder – Prenatal Alcohol Exposure (ND-PAE))

The survey is online but you can contact the research team and they will send you a paper copy to fill in and send back. Feel free to send this link to a friend or family member if you think they might want to be part of this research.

Participating in research

Some things you should know about being part of this research:

• The survey is anonymous. The researchers will not tell anyone you were a part of the survey.
• The survey is confidential. Only the researchers will be able to see your answers. Your choice to be in the study will not change your relationship with your family, workers, or support people. It will not change how you are cared for, or what anyone thinks of you.
• The survey is voluntary. It is your choice if you want to do the survey. You do not have to do it.
• You can skip a question if you don’t want to answer it.
• Even if you said you want to do the survey at the beginning, you can change your mind at any time.
• If you finish the survey and then decide you don’t want to be in the survey anymore you can contact the researchers to get your information deleted.
• You can have a trusted person with you to help you go through the survey.
• If you want to take part in the research but you need help to finish it, you can contact a member of the research team to help you.

 If you have any questions about this research please call 306-880-8988 or email andrea.desroches@usask.ca.

Learn more about this research.