Sonita Abrahams is executive director of RISE Life Manage-ment (Reaching Individuals Through Skills and Education). - PHOTOS BY CARLINGTON WILMOT/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
ADDICTION ALERT, now called RISE, operates a daytime telephone lifeline service, and data gathered between January 2003 and April 2005 demonstrate the following:
In 2003, a total of 216 calls were received from family members, mostly concerning their relatives' ganja abuse. Of this number, 71 of them were described as having symptoms associated with what is commonly referred to as 'ganja-induced psychosis', that is, exhibiting symptoms such as hearing voices, talking to themselves, hallucinating, seeing things that aren't there, personality change, staring into space, isolating (oneself) or becoming aggressive. Of these 71 persons, 67 were males. Approximately 39 of 71 cases were under age 25, including 12 teenagers.
In 2004, a total of 212 calls were received for ganja abuse. Of these, 73 described symptoms associated with ganja psychosis; 69 were men.
For the first four months of 2005, 140 calls were received for ganja abuse. This is an average of 35 calls per months, where in 2003 and 2004 ganja-related telephone calls averaged 18 per month. So ... the number (of calls) per month has doubled. We are not sure why. Of these 140 cases, 52 fall in the ganja psychosis category (mostly men), and 30 of the 52 more than half were under 26 years ... So we are seeing twice the number of calls for ganja psychosis in 2005 than in the previous two years, and an even greater percentage of males.
I would add that what we are really seeking is a good, proper, effective treatment programme for people in trouble. What I do know from our data is that the calls for help are increasing significantly, and our young people, in particular our males, are at most risk. Also, as long as the perception exists that ganja is a safe drug for all, the use will continue to increase, and a significant percentage of our young males will continue to fall by the wayside.
MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS
I want to just look at some studies conducted abroad:
A Norwegian study demonstrated the negative effect of cannabis on driving performance.
A New Zealand study indicated that the habitual use of marijuana is strongly associated with car-crash injuries.
A United States-based study demonstrated that the prolonged use of marijuana alters the immune cell response, resulting in a reduction in resistance to bacterial and viral infections.
A study by Italian researchers of pregnant mothers who used the drug during pregnancy, which demonstrated hyperactivity, learning and memory retention problems in their children.
A United Kingdom study that indicated an increase in respiratory illnesses in regular marijuana smokers, including vanishing lung syndrome which is a form of emphysema.
A prospective cohort study out of Germany that investigated the relation between cannabis use and psychotic symptoms in individuals who were predisposed to psychosis, and who first used cannabis during adolescence. This study concluded that cannabis use moderately increases the risk of psychotic symptoms in young people but has a much stronger effect in those with evidence of a predisposition for psychosis.
GANJA RESEARCH
I know the use of ganja is culturally entrenched in Jamaica, and this should be taken into consideration in the development of our laws and policies.
I also believe that the herb does have medicinal values, and I would, therefore, encourage and endorse the setting up of a cannabis research academy.
