Pubdate: Tue, 18 Jan 2005
Source: Daily Telegraph (UK)
Copyright: 2005 Telegraph Group Limited
Contact:  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/114
Author: John Crowley
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?207 (Cannabis - United Kingdom)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

DESIGNER CANNABIS 'HARMING YOUNG'

The increased availability of high-strength cannabis is harming the 
physical and mental health of young people, the Royal College of General 
Practitioners said yesterday.

Dr Clare Gerada, head of the college's drugs misuse unit, said that relaxed 
attitudes towards the drug and the greater availability of stronger forms 
were leading to rising rates of depression and psychosis among vulnerable 
young people.

Speaking on the eve of a conference being held by the college in London 
today, Dr Gerada said stronger, genetically modified forms of the drug were 
widely available. She said: "While we are finally winning the battle 
against smoking and alcohol we are in danger of ignoring cannabis. 
Genetically modified forms of the drug are now the norm rather than the 
exception.

"There is evidence that high levels of use - especially among teenagers who 
are physically and mentally still developing - carries with it the 
increased risk of psychosis and respiratory conditions such as asthma.

"With cannabis now more popular among young people than cigarettes and 
higher potencies more widely available than ever before, it is time we 
looked again at the health risks."

Her attack comes a year after the drug was downgraded from Class B to Class 
C. People caught with cannabis are let off with a warning and the drug is 
confiscated.

The conference has been organised to broaden GPs' knowledge about cannabis 
and help them deal with the conditions arising from its use, as well as 
understand the evidence for possible medical benefits.

Doctors have shied away from questioning patients about drugs, due to a 
lack of knowledge and concerns about confidentiality.

Speakers at the conference will include Prof John Henry, from St Mary's 
Hospital in London, and the Labour MP Kate Hoey. "With cannabis more 
popular than tobacco and higher potencies more widely available than 
before, it is time we looked again at the health risks," Dr Gerada said.

Research conducted by the Department of Health in 2003 found that almost a 
third of men aged 16 to 24 took cannabis in 2003.

In November last year, figures from the European Monitoring Centre for 
Drugs and Drug Addiction showed that two in five British 15-year-olds had 
tried cannabis - the highest rate in Europe.

Ms Hoey, who has spoken out against the dangers of cannabis, said the new 
research was very worrying. "Those of us who opposed the downgrading of 
cannabis warned that this would lead to more use of the drug," she said. 
"This research should help the new Home Secretary to realise that a mistake 
was made.

"I hope even at this stage that the Government should classify it as a drug 
that is very harmful for young - particularly vulnerable - people."

The Conservatives have pledged to return cannabis to Class B status. David 
Davis, the shadow home secretary, said: "The next Conservative government 
will reflect this by reversing Labour's decision to downgrade it."
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