Pubdate: Wed, 08 Oct 2003
Source: Stockport Express (UK)
Copyright: 2003 The Greater Manchester Weekly Newspaper Group
Contact:  http://www.stockportexpress.co.uk/news/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1564
Cited: Colin Davies http://www.ccguide.org.uk/colindaviesstort.html

WARNING: DON'T BLOW YOUR LIFE ON CANNABIS

BUSES across the borough are to carry stern banners to try to stop young 
people going to pot.

The 'Cannabis: Don't Blow It' campaign, backed by celebrities including 
Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson, aims to get across the legal and 
health implications of using drugs.

Next week Stockport Drug Action Team hopes to get across the message that 
cannabis is still illegal and to give out advice through a number of events 
in the borough.

Posters are being put up in public places and advisors will be on hand in 
supermarkets, with the help of local businesses.

Stockport County player Dave Challinor added his support to the campaign, 
saying: "As a youngster, I was often put under pressure by my peers to get 
involved with drugs.

"Saying no was never easy but I know if I had said yes I would not be a 
professional football player today." And Sir Alex Ferguson said: "Drugs are 
such a waste of time and can ruin your chances in life.

"Stay fit and healthy, play sport instead and give yourself every 
opportunity you deserve." In 2001, the first cannabis cafe opened up in 
Stockport town centre, headed by campaigner Colin Davies of Brinnington, 
who was subsequently jailed. Now cannabis is likely to be reclassified from 
a Class B to a Class C drug, which could lead to some users wrongly 
believing it is now legal. Peter Driver, Chief Superintendent of Stockport 
Police, said: "Don't be fooled into thinking the police will ignore cannabis.

You can still be arrested for smoking it and if you supply it the 
consequences can be very serious.

"We will be working together with schools, the Drug Action Team and health 
and youth services to protect young people in Stockport from drugs of all 
kinds and cannabis is no exception to this." Specialist advisors will be on 
hand to provide advice at display boards in local supermarkets including 
Safeway in Reddish and Bredbury, Morrisons in Cheadle Heath, Co-op in 
Marple, Sommerfield in Heaton Moor and Sainsbury's in Hazel Grove.

Councillor Stuart Corris, Stockport Council's executive member for 
community development, added: "Most young people in Stockport do not use 
cannabis but the number that do is higher than we want it to be. We want to 
send out a very clear message that cannabis is still illegal and will 
remain so even after reclassification." The five key messages of the 
campaign are:

You can still be arrested for having cannabis, and if you pass it on you 
can go to prison

Cannabis can sap your energy, affect your memory, smells and can be a real 
turn-off

Cannabis and tobacco harm your lungs and can get you hooked - nicotine is 
addictive

If you are feeling depressed or worried, cannabis can make you feel worse

Being 'stoned' can make you lose out at school and at work - don't blow it
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens