Research has shown that nine per cent of individuals who experiment with cannabis will become addicted to it.
This number increases to one in six when use starts during adolescence.
This is according to the South African Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP), which has responded to the recent legalisation of cannabis for personal use.
According to Dr Abdul Kader Domingo, member of the SASOP Special Group on Addictions,especially teenagers are in danger.
“Human brain development and maturation is a process that is guided by the body’s endogenous cannabinoid system and occurs until the early 20’s,” said Domingo.
“Exposure to phyto-cannabinoids (cannabinoids obtained from the cannabis plant) during this vulnerable period may disrupt the process of brain maturation and affect aspects of memory, attention, processing speed and overall intelligence.
“Cannabis use during the adolescent period may cause lasting cognitive deficits, even after sustained abstinence.”
He pointed out that the Global Burden of Diseases Study of 2010 estimates that two million years lived with disability were attributed to cannabis.
“The South African Community Epidemiology Network on Drug Use reported that during the second half of 2016, cannabis was the most common primary substance of abuse for persons younger than 20 years presenting to treatment facilities in all areas across South Africa, except for the Free State, Northern Cape and North West.
“A review article by the World Health Organization in 2016 concluded that current evidence points to a modest contributory causal role for cannabis in schizophrenia and that a consistent dose-response relationship exists between cannabis use in adolescence and the risk of developing psychotic symptoms or schizophrenia.
Domingo said that any change to the legislation regulating cannabis use should have been undertaken in consultation with all the relevant stakeholders, be based on good quality scientific evidence and take into consideration the availability and accessibility of current drug addiction prevention and treatment resources in South Africa.
“SASOP concurs with the executive committee of the Central Drug Authority of South Africa that the approaches to combat the use and abuse of psychoactive substances should include harm reduction (interventions aimed at reducing the harmful consequences associated with substance use), supply reduction and demand reduction/preventative strategies.”
“We agree that there is currently insufficient evidence to predict the long-term consequences of the legalization of cannabis.
“The ease of accessing an intoxicating substance may have an underestimated impact on the initiation, frequency and amount of use, and the subsequent risk of developing a substance use disorder. Legalization should therefore not have been considered at this point.”
He said the decriminalisation of cannabis removes the criminal penalty related to the use of cannabis; and it allows for a distinction between a drug dealer and an individual experimenting with or addicted to a drug.
“While SASOP supports the human rights of all individuals, we argue that a decision to protect those addicted to substances should not be viewed as a simple binary decision based on criminal penalties.”
He said in 2001 Portugal augmented the decriminalization of illicit substances with drug dissuasion commissions, increased the number of facilities offering detoxification and therapeutic admissions, increased the number of drug education campaigns and refocused policing efforts on large scale trafficking operations.
“The decriminalization of cannabis must be preceded by and augmented with similar socially responsible strategies for it to be successful in South Africa.”
He concludes to say that SASOP commends the Medical Control Council’s decision to limit the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes to registered prescribers and for individuals in which an acceptable justification is provided.
“We support ongoing research on the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes to ensure that its purported and potential benefits can be scientifically measured against medical and societal risks.”
ALSO READ:
More than 1600 drug-related crimes reported in Boksburg over the last year
Follow us:
For more #hyperlocal news at your fingertips, visit Benoni City Times, Springs Advertiser, Brakpan Herald, African Reporter and Kathorus Mail.
