Pubdate: Tue, 12 Jun 2001
Source: Nelson Mail, The (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2001 Independent Newspapers Limited
Contact: http://www.stuff.co.nz/inl/indexLite/1,2487,0a9,FF.html
Website: http://www.stuff.co.nz/inl/index/0,1008,0a1540,FF.html
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1069
Author: Tracy Neal

CORONER SPEAKS OUT AGAINST CANNABIS

The potentially tragic consequences of cannabis use have been
highlighted by Nelson coroner Ian Smith, who is urging politicians to
think again before liberalising laws on the drug.

Mr Smith was summing up a list of inquests on Monday. Several of the
victims of self-inflicted deaths had been cannabis users.

"I keep seeing what happens to people who use it," Mr Smith
said.

He asked parliamentarians to take note of how dangerous cannabis could
be.

Parliament's select committee on health has been hearing submissions
during a review that could lead to the decriminalisation of cannabis.

Decriminalising the drug is the main option up for discussion. If
adopted, that would make being caught with small amounts of cannabis a
ticketing offence, like speeding.

In the inquest of Jared Andrew Hammond, 19, whose death in April this
year was self-inflicted, Mr Smith also criticised the actions of
Nelson Marlborough Health Service's Mobile Community Team.

Mr Smith referred to Mr Hammond, who was a heavy cannabis user, as "an
accident going to happen".

The team gave evidence that Mr Hammond showed "no evidence of mental
disorder", and that committal under the Mental Health Act was
considered not to be viable.

Mr Smith said he had difficulty believing the team was providing a
service that "picked these people up sufficiently".

He acknowledged the team handled many other cases successfully. It was
unfortunate those who slipped through were those he got to hear about.

The team's manager, John Allen, said Mr Hammond was referred to it
from Timaru Mental Health Services last November. Mr Hammond was asked
to contact the team on his arrival in Nelson, but did not do so.

Soon after, his partner reported to the team that Mr Hammond had
harmed himself. The Nelson police also advised that he had been
wandering around the neighbourhood threatening to harm himself.

Mr Allen said the the team examined Mr Hammond, who spoke of feelings
of anger, had thoughts of hurting himself and felt moody and irritable.

"There was no evidence found of psychosis or depression.

"Jared was advised to see his doctor and to consider counselling
and/or medication," Mr Allen said.

The team followed up on Mr Hammond the next day, and he was given
contact numbers for the team then discharged, Mr Allen said.

Mr Hammond was referred to the team again in April by the Motueka
police after he was found sitting at a backpackers' hostel with a knife.

Mr Allen said Mr Hammond was diagnosed with "acute situational crisis
and cannabis dependence".

He was again advised to contact the Alcohol and Drug clinic, and given
the team's contact numbers. A follow-up soon after revealed Mr Hammond
had harmed himself, and he was advised to go to Nelson Hospital for
treatment, Mr Allen said.

"He presented, as on previous occasions, with no indication of intent
to take his own life," Mr Allen said.

Mr Hammond agreed to a review by a medical officer who found no
evidence of mental disorder. He did not want to be admitted to hospital.

A few days before his death, Mr Hammond phoned the team as agreed, and
reported he was feeling brighter and wanted to "get off the smoke". Mr
Allen said in another conversation the next day, Mr Hammond denied any
suicidal thoughts.

The team learned of Mr Hammond's death two days after he died, while
making a routine call to his home.

Mr Smith questioned how the team could not have seen Mr Hammond wanted
to take his own life.

Mr Allen said all indications were he was intent on self-harm
only.

"There was enough concern to offer him admission to hospital, but he
declined," Mr Allen said.

He said the team worked in the best way it knew how.
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