COUNTRY LEADS IN MARIJUANA

Uganda Leads In Marijuana Growing

KAMPALA -- UGANDA is East Africa's biggest producer of the Cannabis plant,
commonly known as Marijuana, the head of the Anti Narcotics Unit at
the Criminal Investigations Department said yesterday.

Speaking at a meeting organised by the Ministry of Health in Kampala
to plan a strategy for controlling drug abuse in Uganda, Mr Michael
Were said most production is for commercial and domestic
consumption.

"Available data shows Uganda is the highest producer of Cannabis in
East Africa. Most of the districts in Uganda are growing this plant
mostly for commercial gain," Mr Were said.

He said during a joint operation meeting on narcotics held in Arusha,
Tanzania last month, Uganda was identified as the leading grower of
cannabis in the region.

Marijuana is a green, brown or gray mixture of dried, shredded flowers
and leaves of the hemp plant known as Cannabis Sativa. It is the most
commonly used illicit drug, considered a soft drug. It is smoked or
chewed for euphoric effect.

Smoking or chewing Marijuana is the main cause of mental disorders
which are soaring at an alarmingly high rate in the country.

It is for this reason that the Ministry of Health is coming up with a
Master Plan on the establishment of a national coordinating body on
drug control, provision of treatment, awareness and prevention,
strengthening and formulating new legislation.

Latest reports indicate that Cocaine and Heroin, two of the world's
addictive narcotic drugs are being smuggled into western markets
through Uganda.

Dr David Basangwa, a consultant psychiatrist at Butabika National
Psychiatric hospital said drug abuse in Uganda is on the increase.

Dr Basangwa, said before, people used to abuse traditional drugs like
marijuana but of late, addicts are also using heroin and cocaine.

He said these drugs are dangerous because they contribute to health
complications, crime and social disorder. "We need to move faster and
control them before they go out of hand," he said.

He said 20 per cent of all patients admitted at Butabika Mental and
Rehabilitation Hospital are a result of alcohol and drug abuse.

Wakiso, Mukono, Luweero, Kalangala, Masaka, Bushenyi, Kyenjogyo,
Iganga Busia and Bugiri, Mr Were said are some of the core marijuana
growing district.

Mr Were said a joint operation carried by the Uganda and Kenya Police
in Busia for example found that last year alone, the district had over
48 acres of cannabis.