Pubdate: Sun, 30 Dec 2007
Source: New Vision (Uganda)
Copyright: 2007 New Vision
Contact:  http://www.newvision.co.ug/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/522
Author: Carol Natukunda

AU EXPERTS ASK FOR BAN ON CANNABIS

HEALTH experts from the African Union (AU) have asked  member states
to ban the growing of cannabis, popularly  known as marijuana.

They are worried that the cultivation of the drug,  locally known as
njaga/i), was affecting agricultural  production and posing serious
food shortage on the  continent.

It was also observed that cannabis users were at a  higher risk of
contracting HIV, among other sexually  transmitted infections.

The concerns are contained in a 12-page document passed  at the
African Union conference of ministers for drug  control and crime
prevention, held in the Ethiopian  capital, Addis Ababa, from December
3-7.

"African leaders should acknowledge the use of cannabis  as a
continental problem. Governments should get more  involved in drug
control through adoption and  application of effective legislations
and border  control. Populations especially in the rural areas  should
stop cannabis production," the document reads in  part.

Speaking to The New Vision recently, Dr. David  Basangwa, who was one
of the Ugandan delegates at the  conference, said: "Some people are
planting more acres  of cannabis and less of food, because they think
they  will get more money. This leads to food insecurity, and  that is
why we feel that production of the drug should  be stopped across nations."

On HIV, Basangwa, a drug control expert and senior  psychiatrist at
Butabika Hospital, explained that some  people were injecting the drug
into their skin, using  unsterilised equipment. "Even in Uganda, it is
  happening, though it is a hidden activity," he said.

Basangwa, however, expressed concern that Uganda does  not have a
statutory body to oversee drug control. He  also wondered why a bill
on drug abuse had not been  passed by Parliament, yet the laws in
place are weak  and archaic.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Derek