More teens using cannabis

[boulder]

REGULAR use of cannabis by children as young as 14 is increasing, prompting a push to highlight the negative effects of the drug.

 

The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) yesterday warned of the dangers to young users as the NSW government launched a statewide ad campaign to combat the problem.

 

NDARC information manager Paul Dillon said the number of young people using the drug was growing and many wrongly perceived it as harmless.

 

He also warned more young people were using bongs, or water pipes, instead of joints to smoke cannabis.

 

Using bongs forced more smoke into their lungs, possibly increasing the risk of cancer.

 

Young people were largely unaware of the effects of cannabis usage, Mr Dillon said.

 

"Cannabis is perceived by many young people as a benign, harmless drug and as such more and more young people are using it," he said.

 

"A growing number of them are using it regularly [and] they're using it in a more dangerous way."

 

The anti-cannabis campaign was launched yesterday by Special Minister of State John Della Bosca.

 

He said the aim was to raise young people's awareness about the harmful effects of the drug.

 

"Many young people mistakenly view cannabis as a healthy drug, a drug without consequences," he said.

 

"They need to know that's not the case, there are risks associated with their actions."

 

Research has linked prolonged cannabis use with breathing problems, lung diseases, psychological problems and psychosis.

 

Prolonged use of the drug can also lead to social impacts, such as difficulties with relationships and impaired driving skills.

 

The government campaign will show images of young people at a party, playing sport and at the school formal, emphasising the drug's negative effects.

 

The ads will appear in the toilets of cinemas and shopping centres.

 

Mr Della Bosca said government research showed that more than a third of 14 to 19-year-olds had smoked cannabis.

 

Mr Dillon, who was involved in the development of the campaign, said in past campaigns the focus was on the long-term effects of cannabis.

 

This campaign would focus on the social impacts, which were more important to young people, he said.

 

Youth Action and Policy Association (YAPA) executive officer Kristy Delaney said research had shown that young people wanted more information about drugs.

 

Ms Delaney said young people needed easy and private access to drug information and health services and school drug education was not sufficient.

 

 

 

The Daily Telegraph

[420stoner]

i think its good that ppl r becoming more aware about this.

if the rite info is provided then ppl will be more informed and make the rite decisions about mj and the effects of it.

[worrimi]

I also agree the more correct information our youth have allows them, our future, to make there own judgements based on knowledge not fear or propaganda from the past. Also I feel that some factions of the green brigade do not do themselves any favours. I mean if 40% of Australians smoke it then why are we not voicing our opinions in protest ( There is an election coming Mr Carr). Another way would be for those in a position able to donate large amounts of bud money to people busted through a sort of Cannabis Council to pay for the legal costs it takes to render ones self free.

 

There are ways and means to voice our distaste for these laws but when these voices cry in unity people have to start changing there opinions. If we hide away then we are doing exactly what they want us to do and there can be no unity among us.

 

Im not an academic but there must be a few legal eagles in our land that smoke it on a regular basis that would be willing to donate time in helping those in our community with legal issues, like a Hotline sort of thing.

 

Otherwise we will never be able to grow in peace.

 

All Im saying is think of others in OUR community and do something to help. The laws do not work legalise it!

[Ferre]

this is how they do it here(Netherlands),..the gouvernement is providing flyers that you can find in the coffeeshops troughout Holland.

This is what they say:

Tips Hashish & Marijuana

 

In many cultures, hashish and marijuana have been smoked for centuries. They come from the hemp plant. The effect lasts for two to four hours. They can make you cheerfull and relaxed. but like any other substance, they can also be used the wrong way. Here are twelve tips for doing it right.

 

1 - Smoke hashish and marijuana to have a good time, but don't expect a joint to solve any problems for you.

 

2 - If you smoke hashish or marijuana every day, try and skip a couple of days now and than

 

3 - Smoking hashish or marijuana affects your ability to concentrate, so don't smoke them at school, at work or when you are driving a car

 

4 - Some kinds of hashish or marijuana are stronger than others; they have a higher THC level. An experienced smoker senses when he has had enough. He knows it is time to stop. But if you are a new smoker, you don't know when to stop. So it is important to get some reliable information first about what you are buying.

 

5 - If you aren't experienced, it is not a good idea to combine smoking with drinking any kind of alcoholic beverages

 

6 - When you have space cake, it is difficult to know how much cannabis you are eating. Before you know it, you will have too much. So start with a small piece. It can take anywhere from forty-five minutes to an hour and a half before you feel anything. Wait for it to take effect before you have another piece, otherwise you are sure to overdo it.

 

7 - Sometimes smoking hashish or mariujana might not agree with you. It can lead to nausea or anxiety. Find a quiet place to relax, and eat or drink something sweet. Do not panic In an hour, the worst of it will be over.

 

8 - If you are taking any kind of medication, consult a doctor before you smoke hashish or marijuana. Never smoke them when you are pregnant.

 

9 - When you smoke hashish or marijuana, substances (tar and carbon monoxide) are released that are harmful to the health.

 

10 - Be aware that if you smoke cannabis mixed with tobacco, you are also smoking tobacco. Nicotine is addictive.

 

11 - Do not buy hashish or marijuana on the street. Look for a good coffeeshop

 

12 - Never take any hashish or marijuana with you when you go abroad.

 

text: Jellinek / BCD / Adviesburo Drugs

published by: Jellinek 2000

 

....in the Netherlands, there's a tradition of taking our kids serious,...and providing them with all possible information so they can make up their own mind about things,..........including drugs.

"scaring off propaganda" is not the way to go about your fellow countrymen, big or small, in a civilised community,...not here anyway.

[Tom]

10 - Be aware that if you smoke cannabis mixed with tobacco, you are also smoking tobacco. Nicotine is addictive.

 

By default they are admiting that mj is not addictive.

 

http://www.gamers-forums.com/smilies/contrib/ruinkai/coolgleamA.gif http://64.207.13.28/mysmilies/otn/glasses/smokin.gif

[Ferre]

10 - Be aware that if you smoke cannabis mixed with tobacco, you are also smoking tobacco. Nicotine is addictive.

 

By default they are admiting that mj is not addictive.

 

http://www.gamers-forums.com/smilies/contrib/ruinkai/coolgleamA.gif http://64.207.13.28/mysmilies/otn/glasses/smokin.gif

hehe,..not really "by default", it's common knowledge in our country,..and if it wasn't for this stupid "international pressure" we have, according our laws, we would have an even better law system on all kinds of drugs,..but hell, we 're a small country and all the rest of the world is oh so big.

[Tom]

Australia is large physically but we only have a comparatively small population of 20 million, I think it's just that your government, unlike ours, listens to the people more than the "international pressure".

 

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[Straynjer]

Conservative international pressure runs this country (Aus) and Johnny Howhard always looks to Dubyah to find out when he should wipe his arse.

 

Harsh but true.

[Cryptic]

very true stranje