Ottawa study aims to help homeless youth cut back on tobacco and drugs
NCT ID NCT04812613
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study looks at tobacco, cannabis, and other drug use among homeless and at-risk youth in downtown Ottawa. Researchers will follow 520 participants aged 16 and older who are homeless or insecurely housed and have a history of cannabis use and mental illness. The goal is to understand their substance use patterns and test a 6-month support program that includes peer support and a mental health nurse to help reduce use.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- peer support and a licensed mental health and substance use nurse
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could point toward effective community-based programs to reduce substance use in at-risk youth.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early, observational study with no control group, so it cannot prove cause and effect. Results may not apply to other cities or populations.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
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About 520 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Mar 2021
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
20 youth and 500 adult participants
- Ages
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16 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion criteria: * Are currently living in Ottawa for at least 3 months prior to enrolment. * Are homeless or insecurely housed (from OCH and the Bridge). * 16 years or older. * currently use or have a past history of cannabis use * Self-report a mental illness. Exclusion criteria: • Not meeting inclusion criteria
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
The full official record for this study. This one lists no contact details, but it is the first place any would appear.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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The Bridge Engagement Centre
Ottawa, Ontario, K1K 4B7, Canada
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