Drug and alcohol addiction and abuse. Recognition. Prevention. Treatment
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Marihuana
Still a "Soft" Drug?
Remember the '60s and '70s when "pot" was a much weaker, less damaging "soft" drug? Today it is approximately triple that strength (see THC figures in article below*) yet many parents, adults, and youths still believe this is a harmless drug. And for some, depending on dosage, frequency, and length of time using, it may be. However, recent studies on the impact of marihuana on the brain of youths bid warning:
July 27, 2007: Pot smokers increase risk for future mental illness – study
May 1, 2007, CBS News: Doctors: Marijuana Triggers Psychosis
May 2007, NIDA, National Institute on Drug Abuse: Behavioral and Brain Development Research: Effects of Alcohol and Combined Marijuana and Alcohol Use During Adolescence on Hippocampal Volume and Asymmetry
November 30, 2005, PRNewswire – Heavy Use of Marihuana may put adolescents at greater risk
FURTHERMORE: Marihuana is made exceedingly more harmful by the practice of "lacing". District 219 Niles Township High Schools in Illinois U.S.A. student assistance program has compiled a long webpage list of drug terms commonly used by their students such as:
- Crack Weed – marihuana laced with crack
- Crill or Juan Gomez– a joint laced with cocaine
- Frios or Zoom–PCP – marihuana laced with PCP
- Fry – crack or marihuana laced with embalming fluid or acid
- Jim Jones – marihuana laced with cocaine/PCP
In Canada published evidence (versus anecdotal) of marihuana lacing is sparce. However, there is cause for concern:
July 24, 2006, CBC News: Crystal meth being added to pot, ex-dealer says
February 20, 2006: CN BC re- Health Canada seizure: Meth-Laced Dope Prompts Warning
More Information on Marihuana at: www.marijuana-info.org
*For BC FACTS on Marihuana see our RCMP article: "Cannabis Sativa (Marihuana)" listed below.
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