Big NZ-Based Study Sounds Alarm Over Danger of Smoking Drugs Early

The persistent use of cannabis before age 18 has been linked to lasting harm to intelligence, according to a large study.

Analysis of more than 1000 New Zealanders found those who took up cannabis in adolescence and used it for years afterwards experienced an average decline in IQ of eight points when measured at age 13 and 38.

People who did not begin using cannabis until they were adults, with fully formed brains, did not show the same declines.

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In a country with more than its fair share of pot smokers, this district is known for its high marijuana use. Some call it our laidback East Coast style.

United Nations drug reports consistently rank Kiwis among the highest cannabis users in the world, at 13-14 percent of the adult population. The 2009 report found New Zealand teenagers to be the highest users among their peers around the world.

So new research showing the harmful effects of marijuana use before the age of 18 should make us pull together in our communities and redouble efforts to stop our youth smoking this drug.

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An Ashburton woman has dismissed new research on cannabis use affecting intelligence levels, saying she has smoked for more than 30 years and feels fine.

Denise (not her real name) admits cannabis has got her and others around her in troubling situations, but believes the drug has become ingrained in New Zealand's culture and in her words, "that's just the way it is".

The global study surveyed more than 1000 Kiwis and showed that those who took up cannabis in adolescence and used it for years afterwards, experienced an average decline in their IQ levels of eight points when measured at age 13 and 38.

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Drug users on a benefit will be hit in the pocket from next July and few New Zealanders will argue with the sentiments behind this policy.

Social Welfare Minister Paula Bennett this week announced that beneficiaries with work expectations will be asked to do a drugs test when this is required for a specific job.

If they fail or refuse the test, the beneficiary has the choice of either cutting their drug use or losing 50 per cent of their benefit.

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The number of people collecting benefits because of substance abuse has almost doubled since 2004.

One leading drug and alcohol counsellor believes the figure includes people who cannot find work, although Work and Income dismisses this.

Information obtained under the Official Information Act reveals 5714 people are on sickness and invalid's benefits because of alcohol- and drug-related health issues that prevent them working.

The latest figures are 2587 up on 2004 when the Ministry of Social Development reported 3127 people claimed sickness and invalid's benefits.

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A Rotorua 9-year-old is among the 73 students who were stood down or suspended for drug-related incidents in Rotorua schools last year.

This is nearly double the national average, of 42, when compared with the same number of students.

New Zealand Secondary Schools Principals' Association president and John Paul College principal Patrick Walsh said the high number of stand-downs and suspensions was a worry for the Rotorua community.

"For schools, taking drugs is still one of the most serious offences a student can commit.

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Re: Warning drugs and alcohol linked to Alzheimer's disease, July 3 article by a Daily Post student reporter.

When the press prints misleading information it hurts the community.

The press needs to keep a balanced approach to issues, and not misrepresent them. Of course there is a drug problem with youth in New Zealand. Reporting that cannabis is causing Alzheimer's again is misleading and it does nothing to educate the public and realistically present current medical opinions.

I refer you to the Oct. 2 issue of the Journal Molecular Pharmaceutics:

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It is somewhat amusing that the most prominent crusader of a cause which receives its most support from the teenage to early 30s age group, or Gen Y, at New Zealand's latest election was a 71-year-old Don Brash.

Decriminalisation of marijuana is a cause which is enjoying growing support from all age groups, certainly. Interaction with my peers about this issue and virtually all polls indicate that the decriminalisation of marijuana, cannabis or the substance which is known by any number of terms, is an initiative which is endorsed by youth most of all.

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If you don't get a job because you have failed a drug test, or would do if you took one, then the nation probably won't rush to comfort you when Paula Bennett cuts your benefit.

After all, it is galling when the Government cites cases where job-seeker beneficiaries have said flatly that they would not pass a drug test. The Social Development Minister says these people should face sanction, and they shall. But things are not that straightforward.

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OPINION: If you don't get a job because you have failed a drug test, or would do if you took one, then the nation probably won't rush to console you when Paula Bennett cuts your benefit.

After all, it is galling when the Government cites cases where job-seeker beneficiaries have said flatly that they would not pass a drug test. Mrs Bennett says that as things stand these people face no sanction, but they should and they shall.

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The president of Federated Farmers believes a move to drug-test beneficiaries has some merit while a major Hawke's Bay apple producer believes it would help keep people in jobs and ease the labour shortage in the primary industries.

Hawke's Bay farmer and Federated Farmers national president Bruce Wills said initially he was upset that the media climbed on top of a "five-second comment" by Deputy Prime Minister Bill English at the organisation's annual meeting in Auckland.

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In terms of leading the world, one of this country's most unfortunate claims lies in the extent of cannabis use. One of the consequences of this has been evident in forestry, an industry hungry for workers.

For many years, employers complained of the problems, safety and otherwise, arising from the number of workers showing up with the drug in their blood. More recently, they have started to do something about it.

Most major forestry companies test randomly, as well as running anti-drug programmes, providing educational material and using motivational speakers in an attempt to rid the industry of drugs. The results have been encouraging.

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The Government has ruled out universal drug testing of all beneficiaries, with drug and alcohol addicts being exempted from sanctions for refusing or failing a drug test when applying for a job.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett said there were no plans to make a drug test a condition of going on a benefit and about 6100 people who were on sickness or invalid's benefits because of drug or alcohol abuse or addiction would be exempt.

Those assessed as having a genuine addiction in the future would also be exempt.

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The Prime Minister has defended the latest round of welfare reforms cutting the benefits of people who fail or refuse to take a drug test.

The National-led Government says there are now no consequences for drug-takers who opt out of job applications when faced with a drug test.

The details on new rules targeting beneficiaries who take drugs were being finalised by Social Development Minister Paula Bennett but could take effect in 2013.

National's pre-election policy document said beneficiaries who did not apply for a job because a prospective employer asked them to take a drug test would have their benefit cancelled.

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A close friend who works in adult education has told me many times of her frustration with student drug use.

On the other hand, she has often told me how her heart bleeds for her charges. The circumstances they have faced in their life being a reasonable explanation for their inability to get their lives on track.

She talks about sexual abuse, being surrounded by drug and alcohol use, and included in it from ages as young as 10, poor nutrition and no fixed abode.

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The Government's latest welfare reforms to cut the benefits of people who fail or refuse to take a drug test should be cautiously welcomed.

As it stands now, there are no consequences for drug-takers who opt out of job applications when faced with a drug test. While the details on the new rules are only emerging, it would appear from comments made by both Prime Minister John Key and Social Welfare Minister Paula Bennett that appropriate safeguards will be put in place.

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Students were caught with drugs in 2173 incidents at school last year and the youngest child to be stood down was in year 3.

But the figure is the lowest in three years, according to preliminary data.

Last year, there were 1324 stand-downs and 849 suspensions in New Zealand schools for drug-related behaviour (including substance abuse), according to figures released to the Herald.

The Ministry of Education said the data was still being updated by schools and so could not be compared with other years, but previous figures have quoted there being 2441 drug incidents in 2009 and 2690 in 2010.

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Waimate councillor Sandy Mulqueen's bid for cannabis decriminalisation may be gone, but it's not forgotten.

Mulqueen hit the headlines over the past fortnight when she formed a lobby group and made a submission to her own council's long-term plan outlining a project to decriminalise marijuana for personal and medicinal use.

Her cause attracted national media attention when she admitted being stoned while working as an Auckland city bus driver. A Timaru Herald poll which ran alongside the story attracted more than 3000 votes and raised much debate on the topic, indicating wide public interest.

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It seems even the generals no longer have much stomach for the international War on Drugs.

A former state premier, director of public prosecutions, federal health minister and federal police chief were among those who contributed to a recent Australian study urging a re-think. This week, the International Institute of Strategic Studies in London went further, recommending an immediate ceasefire.

IISS director Nigel Inkster, former deputy chief of MI6, pointed out that the problem is not so much that the War on Drugs isn't working, it's that it's making things worse. The drugs trade has spread to Africa and eastern Europe and is entrenching its standing in its traditional strongholds of Asia and the Americas, while the corrosive effects of narco-economies are undermining international security.

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New Zealand's drug-driving scourge has been described as a "hidden epidemic", with latest figures showing hundreds of people have been caught stoned behind the wheel.

The figures, released to the Herald, show police caught 568 drugged drivers between the introduction of the anti-drug-driving law in November 2009 and February this year. The vast majority were men.

The problem has been highlighted in a recent series of TV ads showing the real-life reactions of secretly filmed New Zealanders when told the driver of their car is high on drugs.

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