Cannabis trend prompts fears

[Tom]

Magistrates express alarm at drug use

 

TWO magistrates presiding in North East courts have expressed grave concerns about the upward trend in drug use.

 

One of them, Mr John Murphy, has described the prevalence of cannabis in the community as “a nightmare for parents and frightening”.

 

Mr Peter Couzens said there was an enormous number of cannabis-related matters coming before him.

 

“It is in my view a very dangerous drug,” he said.

 

But Mr Couzens also believes amphetamine use in the North East and particularly Wodonga is more prevalent than other areas of the State.

 

Both have spoken out about the impact of drugs on families because of what they see as further worrying trends.

 

Recently Mr Murphy was advised by police that 52 per cent of 108 matters listed for Shepparton Court were drug-related.

 

A couple of days later 48 per cent of the matters listed at Echuca Court likewise involved drugs.

 

Both Mr Couzens and Mr Murphy say significant numbers of cases listed at courts at Benalla, Myrtleford, Wangaratta and Wodonga likewise involve drugs.

 

Mr Murphy said statistics showed that in 1996 the strength of cannabis was about 6 per cent.

 

“Now it can be as high as 26 per cent and averages about 13 per cent,” he said.

 

He said much of the cannabis was hydroponically grown, was better quality and the heads of the plants rather than leaf.

 

The added strength of the drug is a real danger for teenagers tempted to experiment with it.

 

Mr Couzens said heavy, protracted use of cannabis could lead to mental health issues.

 

He said drug users came to Wodonga to obtain amphetamine or derivatives of it, such as ecstasy.

 

Author:MARK MULCAHY

Date:Mon, Apr 18, 2005

Source:The Border Mail

Copyright:© The Border Mail

 

Now it can be as high as 26 per cent

I would love to get hold of some of that, something tells me these magistrates need to get in contact with reality. ::

 

[Tom]

An editorial from the same paper.

 

Drugs in society are big concern

 

MONDAY, APRIL 18, 2005

 

THE first results from Victorias new roadside drug testing program have confirmed what many people believe that there are many drivers who venture out on the road under the influence of illegal drugs.

 

The drug testing program got off to an inauspicious start when a driver identified as having failed an initial test was later found not to have a case to answer.

 

But to its credit the Victorian Government stuck to its guns and the result shows that the drug buses are catching offenders at a much higher rate than the booze buses looking for drivers who have been drinking alcohol.

 

That one in every 73 drivers tested by the drug bus has provided a positive result to drugs shows that the drug testing is effective and that those who use so-called recreational drugs have no qualms about driving probably in the belief they would not be caught.

 

The testing program has shown the problem is real and that it has the potential to get these menaces off the road.

 

It is now up to the Victorian Government to step up the testing program and for the other States to follow suit without delay.

 

The drug-driving problem is too great to be ignored any longer.

 

DRUGS have become part and parcel of our society and perhaps in some ways the public has a blase attitude and general acceptance of them.

 

But the comments by two magistrates working in North East courts should act as a warning about the growing drug use by a large proportion of the population.

 

It has been suggested that cannabis has a minimal impact on its users.

 

Not so, say the magistrates, and they are well versed to speak on the subject.

 

They see first-hand the impact of drugs, in particular cannabis and amphetamine, on society.

 

Magistrate Mr John Murphy describes cannabis as “a nightmare for parents and frightening”.

 

Mr Murphys colleague, Mr Peter Couzens, similarly cites violence as a trait associated with users.

 

It is hoped that youngsters, or even older people, considering a flirtation with drugs take some heed of the learned comments from the magistrates.

 

Drug use almost always leads to a road of misery.

 

Author:MARK MULCAHY

Date:Mon, Apr 18, 2005

Source:The Border Mail

Copyright:© The Border Mail

Not so, say the magistrates, and they are well versed to speak on the subject.

:: :: ::

Drug use almost always leads to a road of misery.

Only if you end up in front a couple of old farts like them. :angry:

 

[fsagertyaef]

gotta love the often voilent part of all us potheads

[Shivan]

I think what alot of people forget that not all people who smoke pot or use drugs are the same, but they are all dumped under the class drug user. So all the ani-drug campains have plenty of ammunition from all those who mis-use drugs or who go on to commit different crimes while high and get caught. Where as there would be just as many if not more people who use drugs and are upstanding people in our communities, the problem is because it is illegal it is alot more hard to come foward (except for sites like this )and debunk some of the myths.

Just my 2 cents

 

Shivan

Edited April 21, 2005 by Shivan

[boomstix]

those judges must be well qualified to talk, if they can grow weed that's 26%!

[raverspec]

Come on people, they've been saying it years. Drugs are for mugs, cops are tops.