DOCTOR'S PLEA FOR A GENERATION OF LOST BOYS

John Sherman has spent the past 18 years treating drug addiction in St
Kilda and Bendigo. He favors heroin trials and legalising marijuana, but he
warns that the so-called "soft" drug cannabis is destroying a generation of
young men.

For once, Dr Sherman finds himself agreeing with Prime Minister John
Howard's conservative drug adviser Brian Watters, who is advocating more
attention to cannabis in the fight against drugs.

"It's nowhere near the number of problems of alcohol and tobacco and it
hasn't got the life-threatening side of heroin, but cannabis is causing
huge harms in the community," Dr Sherman said.

While teenagers of either sex are just as likely to experiment with
cannabis, young men are more likely to continue the habit and to become
addicted.

"The fact that there are thousands of these young men in our society
necessarily means it's a huge problem."

Dr Sherman said most recreational users seemed to suffer no long-term harm,
but the minority who became addicts - those who smoked heavily three times
a week or used more than half a gram a day - can waste years of their lives.

They suffer from morning nausea and vomiting, irritable bowel syndrome,
weight loss and insomnia. Many stop study or work, can't stick with
anything and find themselves in conflict with their families. Some become
delusional, which can vary from an unwavering belief that cannabis is
harmless to full-blown psychosis.

"If you want to know if you have a genetic disposition to schizophrenia or
other mental illness, indulge in cannabis because it will trigger it," Dr
Sherman said.

When addicts miss their regular dose, the withdrawal symptoms are the
opposite of the initial effect. Lack of the "happy herb" can induce rage
and violence, with many addicts reporting that they punch holes in walls,
get in fights and experience road rage.

Despite his expertise, Dr Sherman says he is refusing to accept any more
referrals to treat 14 to 24-year-old males for cannabis addiction.

"They're brought in by their parents or school counsellors, and they don't
want to change," Dr Sherman said.

"We have long consultations where I explain cannabis addiction, but ...
it's a waste of time. I'm absolutely sick of it.

"Some think this drug is a great healing drug and should be put into the
water supply, some have the bohemian belief that they are artists or poets,
but nothing ever gets done, there is no productive behavior. My time is
better spent in treating people motivated to change."

Dr Sherman said cannabis information needs to be more widely available,
especially for parents and while the set of symptoms, "paranoia and
gut-ache", is easily recognisable many doctors are unaware of them and may
be misdiagnosing patients.

Dr Sherman says cannabis should be legalised, which would demystify it and
at least remove young people from the drug trade.

He says the prognosis for these young men is that many will eventually stop
using to such a damaging extent, and unlike heroin, they are unlikely to
die, but the price they pay in lost opportunities may be high.

DIRECT Line, 9416 1818 or country freecall 1800 136 385 is a 24-hour drug
and alcohol information, counselling and referral service.