Peer-led Support Program Using Messaging Apps to Help Young Drug Abusers Quit Drugs A Randomized Controlled Trial in Hong Kong

What This Trial Is About

This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a peer-led personalized support program using instant messaging apps and a self-determination theory-based approach to help young drug abusers quit drugs. The study involves adolescent drug abusers aged 35 or below in Hong Kong and compares an intervention group receiving personalized support with a control group receiving standard brief intervention. The goal is to see if the intervention group has greater success in reducing drug use and improving health-related quality of life over 12 months. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group or control group. Both groups receive a brief telephone intervention using the Ask, Warn, Advise, Refer and Do-it-Again AWARD model delivered by trained peer supporters. The intervention group additionally receives weekly instant messages via WhatsApp or WeChat for the first 6 months, plus four short videos about drug risks and benefits of quitting, to support healthy lifestyle changes. Minimal messages are sent between 6 and 12 months to maintain contact. The control group receives similar messages and videos focusing on quitting drugs without personalized lifestyle support. Throughout the 12-month study, participants will be assessed by phone at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months. Measures include drug use history, drug dependency, readiness to quit, relapse risk, quality of life, withdrawal symptoms, and other health behaviors. Peer supporters will be trained and evaluated for professional knowledge improvement. Data will be analyzed to assess changes in drug use and related outcomes over time. The study expects to enroll about 200 drug-using youths and recruit 80 university students as peer supporters.

Peer-led Personalized Support Program