Binky
03-10-2009, 09:12 AM
CANNABIS REARS ITS UGLY HEAD NOW EVEN MORE POTENT AND DANGEROUS
A strong warning about trivialising the dangers of cannabis has been voiced by the International Narcotics Control Board in its latest report, just released.
Board president Hamid Ghodse says cannabis has become more potent and is associated with an increasing number of emergency-room admissions.
Cannabis was frequently called a gateway drug, often being the first illicit drug taken by young people.
"In spite of all these facts, the use of cannabis is often trivialised and, in some countries, controls over the cultivation, possession and use of cannabis are less strict than for other drugs" he says.
Mr Ghodse concedes regulations are not a panacea, and cannot alone eliminate drug trafficking and abuse.
"I can therefore understand that the following question is often raised: Would it be more economical to do away with all drug regulations and leave it to market forces to regulate the situation?
"I believe that this is the wrong question, similar to questioning whether it is economical to try to prevent car accidents or to treat infectious diseases."
He said history had shown that national and international control of drugs could be effective and was the choice to be made.
As an agency of the United Nations, the Narcotics Control Board reported for the 2008 year that cannabis continues to be the most-abused drug in Oceania.
Amphetamine-type stimulants continue to be supplied by clandestine manufacturers.
Much attention has been paid recently to drug substitution programmes which were developed initially as a last resort for drug-users who, for various reasons, have not succeeded in overcoming their dependence through other modes of treatment.
But while these programmes have their place in drug control policy, they should not necessarily be regarded as the ultimate goal, but as an interim stage that could eventually lead to the development of a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.
Drugs present a danger! And control of both demand and supply is the shared responsibility of all nations . . . and all of us.
March 07/09
Gisborne Herald (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2009 The Gisborne Herald Co. Ltd
Contact: letters@gisborneherald.co.nz
Website: http://www.gisborneherald.co.nz/home.htm
A strong warning about trivialising the dangers of cannabis has been voiced by the International Narcotics Control Board in its latest report, just released.
Board president Hamid Ghodse says cannabis has become more potent and is associated with an increasing number of emergency-room admissions.
Cannabis was frequently called a gateway drug, often being the first illicit drug taken by young people.
"In spite of all these facts, the use of cannabis is often trivialised and, in some countries, controls over the cultivation, possession and use of cannabis are less strict than for other drugs" he says.
Mr Ghodse concedes regulations are not a panacea, and cannot alone eliminate drug trafficking and abuse.
"I can therefore understand that the following question is often raised: Would it be more economical to do away with all drug regulations and leave it to market forces to regulate the situation?
"I believe that this is the wrong question, similar to questioning whether it is economical to try to prevent car accidents or to treat infectious diseases."
He said history had shown that national and international control of drugs could be effective and was the choice to be made.
As an agency of the United Nations, the Narcotics Control Board reported for the 2008 year that cannabis continues to be the most-abused drug in Oceania.
Amphetamine-type stimulants continue to be supplied by clandestine manufacturers.
Much attention has been paid recently to drug substitution programmes which were developed initially as a last resort for drug-users who, for various reasons, have not succeeded in overcoming their dependence through other modes of treatment.
But while these programmes have their place in drug control policy, they should not necessarily be regarded as the ultimate goal, but as an interim stage that could eventually lead to the development of a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.
Drugs present a danger! And control of both demand and supply is the shared responsibility of all nations . . . and all of us.
March 07/09
Gisborne Herald (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2009 The Gisborne Herald Co. Ltd
Contact: letters@gisborneherald.co.nz
Website: http://www.gisborneherald.co.nz/home.htm