Pubdate: Fri, 23 Mar 2012 Source: Sherwood Park News (CN AB) Copyright: 2012 Osprey Media Contact: http://www.sherwoodparknews.com/feedback1/LetterToEditor.aspx Website: http://www.sherwoodparknews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1730 Note: This column is one of a series by the local Community Partners in Action Committee (CPAC). This group identifies social needs, issues and gaps and works together to address them. If you require any further information regarding this committee, contact Strathcona County Family and Community Services at 780-464-4044. Watch for the next column in April. Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?135 (Drug Education) DRAGGING OUT THE DRUGS The Importance of Steering Clear of Drug Use and Knowing Its Effects The good news is that most people in Strathcona County choose not to use illegal drugs. However, marijuana use is the most commonly used illegal drug for adults and youth in Canada. As we speak to youth in Strathcona County about their marijuana use, we learn that some of them are living in families where the adults and youth think it is "no problem" to use marijuana. Is it really "no problem" when these youth come to our attention because someone in their circle of influence (teacher, parent, sibling or friend) has noticed some changes in them? This column hopes to increase public knowledge about marijuana from a health perspective, with excerpts from the "abc" and "beyond the abc" series found at www.albertahealthservices.ca/2461.asp. What is cannabis (marijuana)? Cannabis is the general term used to describe marijuana, hashish and hashish oil. Found in cannabis, THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is a major psychoactive chemical. Marijuana and hashish are usually smoked in cigarettes (called joints or reefers), in cigars (blunts), in pipes or in water pipes (bongs). Hash oil is added to marijuana or tobacco cigarettes. Cannabis can also be cooked in foods, such as brownies, for example. Cannabis does not fit into the usual classification of drug groups. It generally has depressant effects, yet it increases the user's heart rate like a stimulant. In Canada, it is generally illegal to use marijuana for medical treatment, although people have been granted permission through Health Canada's Special Access Program. Short-term effects Using cannabis will commonly make a person feel more relaxed, free and open. Colours will seem brighter; sounds and smells more distinct. Some users feel happy and start talking a lot; others get quiet and withdrawn. Minutes can seem like hours, and ordinary objects seem to have special meaning. Appetite often increases - especially for sweets. The physical effects of cannabis use include rapid heartbeat, red eyes, and dry mouth and throat. Cannabis makes a person clumsier and slower to react. Driving and operating machinery while stoned is not safe. A serious challenge for students is that while high on cannabis, one loses some of their ability to learn; they forget things, and have trouble concentrating. Some users feel severe anxiety and high doses can cause panic attacks, fearful suspicious feelings (paranoia) and temporary psychosis. These effects usually disappear within hours. Long-term effects Smoking cannabis damages the lungs and contributes to respiratory problems such as chronic coughing and lung infections. Many people who use cannabis heavily for a long time are less able to focus attention and filter out irrelevant information. Heavy marijuana use can lead to anxiety, personality disturbances and depression. It may bring out schizophrenia in people vulnerable to it, and may cause relapses in those who have schizophrenia. If you or someone you know could use support with their marijuana use or any other drug of concern, please call Alberta Health Services's Addiction Services at 1-866-332-2322 at any time. Weekday phone numbers for Sherwood Park: Adult 780-417-7221; Youth 780-499-4535. General counselling services are provided through Strathcona County Family and Community Services at 780-464-4044. The Parents Empowering Parents support line is also available for families dealing with or concerned about substance abuse/addiction at 780-293-0737. References: * Abc: Cannabis http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/AddictionsSubstanceAbuse/hi-asa-abcs-cannabis.pdf ; (c) AHS 2010 | ISBN 0-7785-2861-8 | 332C. * Beyond the abc's: Cannabis (Marijuana) www.albertahealthservices.ca/AddictionsSubstanceAbuse/hi-asa-beyond-abcs-cannabis.pdf. * Canadian Alcohol and Drug Use Monitoring Survey ( http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hc-ps/drugs-drogues/stat/_2010/summary-sommaire-eng.php#cannabis ): March 5, 2012 . - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom