Pubdate: Thu, 17 Aug 2000 Source: Dominion, The (New Zealand) Copyright: 2000 The Dominion Contact: P O Box 1297, Wellington, New Zealand Fax: +64 4 474-0350 Website: http://www.inl.co.nz/wnl/dominion/index.html FIFTH OF 16-YEAR-OLDS USE CANNABIS - REPORT One out of five 16-year-olds regularly use cannabis and almost half of that age group have at least tried it, a report into college students' use of the drug in Wairarapa and Kapiti says. In both areas students say cannabis is freely available and easy to get, and community consultation found some children as young as 10 and 11 years are being supplied by their parents. About 4000 students, aged between 13 and 17, were surveyed in 1999 for Hutt Valley Health's regional public health report Cannabis and Youth, issued Wednesday. Medical officer of health Stephen Palmer said it is "quite significant" to find that one fifth of 16 year-olds are regular users of cannabis. "We know it has adverse affects on educational potential. At 16, when students are studying for exams, is this writing off this group of individuals in their potential for the future?" Thirty per cent of those surveyed say they had used the drug. Of those 13 per cent in Kapiti and 11 per cent in Wairarapa say they are regular users. About one-fifth had used the drug by the age of 12. Most commonly students get their cannabis from school friends, the report says. Other sources are, friends, family members, dealers and some even grow their own supply. In Kapiti students smoke and deal cannabis in the school grounds, and it is widely known that some go home at lunch time to have a joint, the report says. Paraparaumu College principal Richard Campbell says though there have been incidents involving cannabis in the past no students have been disciplined for it at the school this year. However, he says, anecdotal evidence from students indicates there is "quite a lot" of cannabis use among students on weekends. This is having an affect on some students' work. "I think all principals would acknowledge that adolescent involvement with marijuana is a worry. We are seeing a fall off (in ability) with some students, not a large number but some, that's why you'll see opposition to decriminalisation." Wairarapa College acting principal Keith Sawyer says it would be naive to think some students are not involved in drug use away from the school. On rare occasions students do bring the drug to school and on rarer occasions use it during school times. He would not say if any students had been disciplined over cannabis this year. The school, its board of trustees, student association and parent, teacher association have all expressed their opposition to decriminalisation, he says. Cannabis law reform campaigner Green MP Nandor Tanczos says the report's findings come as no surprise "at all". It "is in line with what we've been saying: prohibition is totally failing to control cannabis use among the young," he said. "We've said all along that rather than arresting adult users for minor cannabis use we should be putting resources into education and health campaigns particularly for young people. "If we put the tens of millions, possibly hundreds of millions, spent on prohibition, and spent it on education instead it would make a difference to cannabis use among young people," he says. According to Mr Tanczos 1994 students were suspended or stood down (expelled) in 1999 for drug use, up from 1767 in 1998. Education Minister Trevor Mallard says the report's findings are "shocking". "I think they show the need for better information and education about the danger of drug use among young people." Dr Palmer says it was worrying to see that most younger users were given the drug by friends and family. It was not till they reached the age of 16 that dealers were commonly used and at that age over one third bought it. The report also says those who started smoking cannabis when they were much younger, between 10 and 12 years old, were more likely to become regular users. Cannabis use by Maori students is higher than others. In comparison with overall use, in the Wairarapa area 19 per cent of Maori students say they are regular users, in Kapiti 18 per cent say they are. "This information highlights the need to develop programmes that are specifically aimed at young Maori, as the difference in prevalence suggests that the associated issues may also be different," Dr Palmer says. The report recommends further research into the "core group", those who first used cannabis at between 10 and 12 years of age and who continue to use heavily. It also suggested a study of the economic, social and cultural environments for selling drugs in school settings. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart