Pubdate: Thu, 13 Jun 2013
Source: Daily Mail (UK)
Copyright: 2013 Associated Newspapers Ltd
Contact:  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/108

MENTAL HEALTH TOLL OF SKUNK CANNABIS

MORE and more cannabis users are needing hospital treatment for 
mental disorders after smoking super-strength skunk, drug campaigners 
warned last night.

The numbers admitted for treatment have increased by 50 per cent in 
three years and the campaigners blame permissive policing, including 
the use of cautions and spot fines.

Mary Brett of Cannabis Skunk Sense said: 'We need an end to the 
authorities turning a blind eye to cannabis as if it is a harmless substance.'

Department of Health figures show that in 2008-9 some 651 admissions 
were recorded in England relating to a diagnosis of 'mental or 
behavioural disorder due to use of cannabinoids'. For 2011-12, the 
figure had risen to more than 1,000. Skunk is five times as potent as 
traditional cannabis.
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