Pubdate: Wed, 16 Apr 2014
Source: Edmonton Journal (CN AB)
Copyright: 2014 The Edmonton Journal
Contact: 
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/opinion/letters/letters-to-the-editor.html
Website: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/134
Author: Michel Perron
Note: Michel Perron is CEO of the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse.

LET'S CLEAR THE SMOKE ON CANNABIS

Pot Affects Brain Development In Youth: Studies

As the world watches the effects of the legalization of cannabis (also
known as marijuana) south of the border in Colorado and Washington
states, many Canadians are debating the future of our nation's most
used illicit drug.

Should it remain criminalized? Should options such as the ticketing
proposal brought forth by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police
be examined by lawmakers? What would outright legalization look like?
Where does marijuana for medical purposes fit into the picture - if at
all?

As we approach April 20 - otherwise known as "4/20" - the Canadian
Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA) thought it important to bring forward
some evidence-based information to help "clear the smoke" on cannabis,
particularly when it comes to how Canadian youth view and use this
substance.

According to UNICEF's 2013 Innocenti Report Card, Canadian children
aged 11, 13 and 15 had the highest rate of past-year cannabis use (28
per cent) in 2009-10 compared with children in other developed
countries. And while past-year use has declined in recent years, it
remains the most commonly used illegal drug among Canadians between 15
and 25 years of age - about 2.5 times higher than that of adults over
25. And to be clear, we are concerned about that.

These statistics are concerning because research shows that youth
represent a high-risk group for experiencing cannabis-related harms.
Their brains are undergoing rapid and extensive development that can
be negatively affected by cannabis use. Chronic use can increase the
risk of developing psychosis, depression and anxiety, not to mention
respiratory difficulties and possibly lung cancer.

Beyond longer-term consequences, cannabis can impair cognitive and
motor functions such as memory, perception, co-ordination and balance
for hours after use. This presents a safety hazard for those getting
behind the wheel, as well as for other motorists and
pedestrians.

Despite this, a study released last fall by CCSA revealed that our
country's young people are confused about cannabis and do not have the
knowledge they need about the risks associated with this drug to make
more informed decisions. Some expressed mistaken beliefs about the
effects of cannabis, indicating that it helps to improve their focus
at school and can prevent or even cure cancer. Youth also expressed
mixed beliefs as to whether cannabis improves or impairs driving
performance, and felt that cannabis and driving was not as dangerous
as drunk driving.

Moreover, youth often talked about how cannabis is natural, and so
they don't really think of it as a drug.

The findings from this research highlight the complexity of the issues
surrounding youth consumption of marijuana. Young Canadians are
confused with the mixed messages they are receiving, pointing to the
need for a co-ordinated, comprehensive, factual and consistent
approach to providing information. When asked themselves about how to
best prevent cannabis use, youth in the study told researchers that
"scare tactics" were ineffective, but that "fact-based" information at
a younger age related specifically to marijuana would help them make
more informed decisions.

To this end, CCSA has produced Canadian Standards for Youth Substance
Abuse Prevention that help guide schools, communities and families in
developing, implementing and evaluating effective prevention
initiatives. And we will continue research over the coming years to
clarify the impact of marijuana on the developing adolescent brain and
to study drug-impaired driving among youth. The findings of these
important research topics will help inform outreach efforts by
providing factual evidence to our young people on how cannabis affects
their health, their academic abilities, their safety and their future.

Criminalization, decriminalization, legalization and every option in
between will certainly occupy the public discourse for the near
future. CCSA encourages all Canadians to consider keeping
considerations of the health risks of cannabis use at the forefront,
as well as the short-, medium- and long-term consequences for Canada's
youth.  
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D