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Prevention of Firearms Death and Injury among Youth

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Overview

Background Problem : Firearms and Youth Risk Factors Stakeholder Roles Tools Next Steps

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Approach

to develop community based tools which can be used to support implementation of the firearms law in Quebec

focus on vulnerable groups intervention models - for urban and

rural contexts.

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Firearm death

Public health experts view firearm death like disease

firearm death has common cause

availability and use of firearms

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Firearms and Youth

suicide injury and accidental death family violence young offenders: taxing, gang activity

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Objectives

Understand youth suicide and victimisation with firearms

The Problem The Risk factors Interventions Implementation issues Evaluation

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Problem:Misconceptions

Some misconceptions are that: Only criminals, gangs misuse

firearms Problem is handguns not rifles and

shotguns Homicide is major cause of death

with firearms (not suicide)

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PROBLEM:Suicide

CANADA Suicide in Canada: 3760 per year Second leading cause of death in

15-24 year olds Firearms are the most common

instrument for males (25%)

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Suicide Quebec

1300 suicides, 1/3 of total in Canada 2nd highest rate in world 1/3 of suicides with firearms - most

common is .22 rifle males, youth and elderly at risk particular problem in rural areas first nations in Quebec high risk group

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Suicide - Youth

Leading cause of death of 15-24 year olds in Quebec

annual average firearm suicides for youth

Canada -155 (rate is 3.56) Quebec- 46 (rate is 4.49)

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Problem: Family Violence 30% of spousal murders are with firearms 50% of teens killed in family violence with

firearms 80% are legally owned firearms presence of firearms in violent families : tool of

intimidation escalation of violence into murder increases

with firearms effect on children of violence: future victims,

aggressors

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Youth Victimisation

Canada: 23% victims of crime 15-24 year old (11% of population)

Youth is largest group of victims of violent crime in Montreal

bullying and victimisation can lead to victims becoming violent with guns (Taber, Alberta; Colombine, CSDM incidents)

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Youth Offenders and Gangs

Montreal: Gang gun violence (1997 - 4 murders, 11 attempted murders)

firearms play role in escalation of intimidation and violence

certain Montreal schools find guns or replicas monthly

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Risk Factors Suicide- General

Personal Predisposition (Previous suicidal behaviour, mental

disorders, substance abuse Social environment (lack of social

network, unemployment, physical or sexual abuse)

Life event (death, illness, humiliating events, interpersonal problems)

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Risk Factors : Youth Suicide Personal Predisposition - poor adaptation,

learning difficulties, impulsivity previous suicidal behaviour, mental disorders, difficulty with sexual orientation,chronic difficulty with peer relations

Social environment (lack of social network, mental disorders in family, unemployment, physical or sexual abuse, neglect)

Life event (death, divorce, rejection of parents, substance use, academic failure, pressure, interpersonal problems)

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Risk Factors :Youth Violence (previous points) aggression, anti-social behaviour family violence poor parenting: lack of emotional

interaction, lack of parental supervision, inconsistant, harsh discipline

impulsivity, desire for power, imitative

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Lethality Model

Factors Affecting theFrequency of ViolentEvents

Incidenceof Violence

Injury Outcomes

Factors Affectingthe Severity of

Violent IncidentsGUNS

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Links to firearm access

Risk of suicide in urban homes with guns: 5x increase

Risk of homicide in urban homes with guns: 3x increase

Regional variations in Canada BUT: in Quebec decline in firearm

suicides not reflected in overall decline

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Youth Access to Guns

Home is where majority of gun death and accidents take place

24% of Quebec homes have guns 33% guns not safely stored long guns:hunters in family hand guns: illegal or restricted

weapon (ie children of police, military)

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STAKEHOLDER ROLES For law to be effective, need community

participation in implementation Must understand Risks Must take Preventative Action- voluntary

removal of firearms; counselling; legal interventions

Must raise general community awareness of problem and solutions

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Target Audiences Parents and families: understand the risks and

take appropriate action Health care professionals: know the signs,

provide counselling, intervene Guidance Counsellors and teachers: know the

signs, provide counselling, intervene Social workers, youth workers: know the risks,

intervene Police: identify risks, intervene Communities-report potential problem

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School Intervention-Example

Identify at risk youth (violence or suicide)

Routinely query parents of troubled youth re: access to guns at home or elsewhere (family members, friends, neighbours)

Suggest gun be removed temporarily

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OPPORTUNITY AREAS Increase awareness of suicide,

violence risks and firearms: data and trend analysis (fact-based decisions and interventions)

Integration of “firearms” into other suicide, violence prevention and community strategies

Taking preventative action - clear procedures: “when in doubt say no”

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Ask a Question, Save a Life

Do you have access to a gun? Does your (suicidal) son\daughter

have access to a gun? Does the person who threatens you

have access to a gun? Does the person who threatens your

mother have access to a gun?

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Success Stories

Licensing process improves risk assessment and includes hotline

Decline in reported suicides with firearms 1990-1999 in Quebec (but increase in suicide overall)

Decline in firearms death across Canada with increased gun control

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Best Practice ExamplesBatshaw Children and Family services implementing screening for firearms in domestic violence calls and for suicidal youth in their care

Centres de Jeunesse, Services Psycho-sociaux are also looking at adding specific question re:guns

Montreal Children’s Crisis Team- screening for firearms

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Best Practices ShelterNet, Federation des ressources

d’hébergement pour femmes violentées includes screening for guns in their new guide

Quebec provincial strategy on suicide recognizes firearms issues

Educational efforts already underway (eg. Lac Ste. Jean)

Romeo Dallaire who suffers from depression and PST asked police to take his firearms

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Best Practices- Policing

Increased Awareness, improved procedures Appropriate enforcement of safe storage Safe storage of police firearms Police called to suicide attempts routinely query

presence of firearms Reporting and record keeping to support licensing

and revocation Procedures: determine presence of guns when risk

is identified

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NEXT STEPS

Suggestions- what works in your organisation

Are there current initiatives - programs, interventions for school professionals where guns could be included

Resource materials Contacts