CANNABIS THE 'WORRYING LINK'

Norwich coroner William Armstrong said the inquest intro the death of Jason
Smith was a "very graphic example" of cannabis being a "gateway drug".

He said that while many adults used cannabis without progressing onto
harder drugs, with vulnerable youngsters like Mr Smith it was often a
different case.

"I have dealt with a number of cases where vulnerable youngsters from
disturbed backgrounds began taking cannabis at an early age and progressed
to harder drugs" he said.

"However I must emphasise there is a world of difference between this and
occasional recreational use by adults.

But he added "There is no doubt in my mind that there is a very worrying
link between use of cannabis by vulnerable children and progression onto
harder drugs.