Pubdate: Mon, 27 Aug 2001
Source: Dominion, The (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2001 The Dominion
Contact:  http://www.inl.co.nz/wnl/dominion/index.html
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/128

STONED OUT OF THEIR MINDS

Those who argue simplistically for cannabis law reform should look at the 
increasing evidence of the harmful effect the drug has on mental health in 
New Zealand, as highlighted by several leading experts in this newspaper on 
Saturday, The Dominion writes in an editorial.

Their experience that serious cannabis abuse is common among that section 
of mentally ill people who kill innocent citizens with monotonous 
regularity follows warnings by school principals that cannabis use by 
students is producing classrooms of stoned pupils unable to concentrate on 
schoolwork.

The propaganda from the very vocal cannabis lobby would have us believe 
this mind-altering weed is not just harmless, but even beneficial as 
anything from a non-alcoholic social lubricant to an efficient pain reliever.

Those who raise doubts receive a barrage of criticism. As a result, it 
takes brave individuals to speak out.

Sandy Simpson, head of the Mason Clinic for the seriously mentally ill in 
Auckland, will not endear himself to the pro-cannabis lobby by saying that 
cannabis use both increases the likelihood of schizophrenics having 
psychotic episodes and reduces the effects of medicines given to control 
the symptoms of the illness.

"It's important not to get romantic about cannabis," Dr Simpson says. "For 
some people, it is dangerous stuff. Most (mental health professionals) feel 
that whether it's decriminalised or not, there needs to be a clear 
recognition of the problems it causes."

Another expert, deputy mental health director and former clinical 
psychiatrist Dr Andrew Duncan, paints a particularly gloomy picture.

Twenty years ago, when he was a registrar, there was hardly any substance 
abuse by mental patients.

Now massive substance abuse by such people is the norm, exacerbating their 
illnesses, making them harder to treat and more likely to commit acts of 
violence, he says.

Yet another, Mental Health Foundation chairman Peter McGeorge, blames a 
society that has bred a generation of young people who want instant 
gratification, who have poor impulse control and few other reactions than 
violence.

He says: "You can't lay the blame for that at the mental health system and 
say it is failing. Parents who have rules and talk to their children and 
set clear boundaries are much less likely to have these kinds of problems, 
even if their children develop mental illness."

Dr Duncan spoke of the benefits that would come from a public health 
campaign to reduce cannabis use. He says a 20 per cent overall reduction 
could have a positive impact on mental health outcomes.

None of these experts are fuddy-duddy conservatives who want cannabis to 
stay illegal or want to stop people having fun.

They are liberal professionals who were careful when being interviewed to 
remain neutral on the decriminalisation issue, but who spoke from their 
long years of experience about the harmful effects of a drug which is 
enthusiastically embraced by many.

The parliamentary select committee studying the question should give their 
concerns at least as much weight as it accords the pro-cannabis lobby.
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MAP posted-by: Beth