Pubdate: Fri, 28 Jun 2002 Source: Otago Daily Times (New Zealand) Copyright: Allied Press Limited, 2002 Contact: http://www2.odt.co.nz Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/925 Author: John Caygill Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) DRUG USE Despite decrying everyone else's supposed ignorance about substance use, in his recent pro-drug outburst ( ODT, 18.6.02), John Dolan passes up a golden opportunity to tell the truth about the adverse health effects of cannabis. It has similar long-term lung damage potential to tobacco, impairs mental and physical performance in the short-term, and should definitely not be used during pregnancy. A prospective cohort study of a large number of young people in Christchurch has shown dependency rates of nearly 10% by age 21, and an alarmingly strong association with the subsequent use of more hazardous illegal drugs. John Caygill