WA researchers have warned that cannabis use causes genetic mutations that can be passed on to children and grandchildren. University of WA scientists found cannabis alters a person's DNA structure, potentially exposing future generations to serious illnesses and diseases such as cancer. They said the implications for future generations had not been understood and were alarming. The link between cannabis use and illnesses such as cancer was known but the research was among the first to look at why it occurred and the impact on future generations. [continues 197 words]
A University of Western Australia researcher has called for the scrapping of a multimillion-dollar anti-methamphetamine campaign by the Federal Government, after finding that graphic advertisements actually made the illicit drug more appealing to teenagers. A study by clinical psychology researcher David Erceg-Hurn found that a similar American campaign warning of violent behaviour and self-harm associated with crystal methamphetamine had the opposite effect to what was intended, making the drug appear less risky to young people. The review, published in the international journal Prevention Science, found that after six months of exposure to an expensive anti-ice advertising campaign in the American state of Montana, three times as many teenagers believed using ice was not risky. [continues 97 words]
WA doctors have reignited cannabis laws as a critical election issue, demanding the state's soft drug regime be replaced by criminal charges and substantially tougher penalties. The Australian Medical Association said last night the existing laws, which allow those caught with a small amount of cannabis to either pay on-the-spot fines of up to $150 or attend educational seminars, failed to deter young marijuana users, some of whom would move on to harder drugs. The AMA attacked the State Government for introducing the laws last year and then accused the Opposition of being "wishy-washy" on the issue, saying it wanted a Coalition commitment to dump the on-the-spot fines if it won the election. [continues 375 words]
The coalition plan to crack down on small-time cannabis users does not go far enough and it should adopt zero tolerance, says the WA branch of the Australian Medical Association. It said the Opposition's wind-back on cannabis law reforms should have been tougher. But it was still better than the State Government's attempt to rein in drug users. AMA State president Paul Skerritt said even first-time users should be subject to a strict treatment regime and he was disappointed the policy did not contain more funding for education programs. [continues 174 words]
WA Has One Of Australia's Highest Rates Of Illicit Drug Use. Drugs such as cannabis, heroin and amphetamines cost the State $610 million a year, a new WA Health Department and Drug and Alcohol Office report said. Almost a quarter of West Australians have used illicit drugs - the second highest proportion of people in Australia, it said. The highest proportion was in the Northern Territory. The most common drug was cannabis which was used regularly by 16.5 per cent of people aged 16-24. [continues 473 words]
