Health fears as 300,000 young people use cannabis
Tuesday July 04 2006
A NEW Government report shows 300,000 young people are regularly using cannabis.
As many as 5,000 16-year-olds admit to using the drug. That is twice the EU average.
Most of those using the drug are aged between 16 and 25, with 28,000 admitting they are cannabis-dependent.
The startling findings are outlined in a major Oireachtas report.
It is being published tomorrow by the Oireachtas Arts, Sports, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs committee.
Fianna Fail backbencher Cecilia Keaveney, who chairs the committee, said last night most of those taking the drug are in the teens-to-25-age group.
And many of those taking cannabis are showing schizophrenic tendencies when initially assessed medically.
Ms Keaveney said the report will debunk the myth that cannabis is "both safe and harmless" as the drug contains four times as much tar as cigarettes.
She said: "It contains some powerful case histories which bear this out. The dangers to our young people, to our young mothers and their offspring are considerable."
Ms Keaveney said young people using it are at an age when they are vulnerable to mental health difficulties. And, she claimed, these are compounded by cannabis use.
"You only have to look at the suicide statistics to bear this out."
The report recommends the establishment of a national strategy to deal with cannabis use.
There is also a recommendation supporting further research to examine the longterm cognitive effects associated with heavy cannabis use.
Ms Keaveney revealed the report also "reminds us that, at an estimated value of more than €375m, it is the largest single component of the illicit drugs trade".
The committee will also publish a second report which highlights the need for a national policy on the abuse of alcohol.
Our per capita consumption has risen by 41pc between 1989 and 1999. Latest EU statistics show our annual consumption is 15 litres of pure alcohol.
"No wonder we have problems of binge drinking, teenage alcoholics and drink related homicide," Ms Keaveney.
While the major drugs report will highlight the extent of substance abuse on a national level, concern at a more local level has prompted an advice blitz on two Dublin suburbs.
Every household in Finglas and Cabra is to receive a booklet outlining the effects of cocaine, writes Paul Melia.
About 15,000 households will get the booklet called 'Cocaine - What You need to know'.
Yesterday Finglas/Cabra drugs task force coordinator John Bennett said a booklet and poster campaign was being undertaken.
Gardai had carried out raids on pubs in the area and a number of arrests have been made for possession of cocaine for personal use.
"This is an area that has had to deal with the consequences of a heroin problem and the new drug on the block is cocaine," he said.
"Gardai raided a number of pubs in the area and a lot of people were found in possession of cocaine for their own use."
He added: "There are no alternative drug therapies for cocaine use. Although the drug problem isn't as pronounced as it was in the 1990s, I think people have to realise that we have a problem and that unfortunately it's part of modern life."
A poster campaign in all pubs in the area is also being undertaken.
This has has a mirror embossed on the poster and a message: "Are you looking at someone with a cocaine problem?" printed underneath.
The poster includes contact details for local garda stations and the Finglas Addiction Support Team.
Unveiling the booklet yesterday, junior Noel Ahern said €125m has been allocated to drugs projects.
The Finglas/Cabra Drugs Task Force got more than €8m to date, with €800,000 allocated for this year.
- Gene McKenna
