DEPRESSED PUPILS TURNING TO DRUGS

MORE than 70 per cent of depressed and demotivated schoolchildren
in Ipswich are using cannabis, new figures revealed today.

The revelation comes on the same day that it was revealed that
cannabis crime has soared in the UK since laws on the drug were downgraded.

Nationally drugs offences recorded by police have risen by 23 per cent
to 178,500 in one year, mainly due to an explosion in official
warnings for carrying cannabis - up from 88,000 to 120,000.

Before the drug was downgraded in 2004, those who were given official
warnings would have faced arrest and possibly jail.

In Ipswich, the scale of the problem was discovered in a survey of
those excluded from school, attending pupil referral units or being
helped by youth workers.

In excess of 130 children were questioned over a six-month period
about the use of cannabis.

Following the findings Ipswich has now organised its first-ever Health
Jam event to in a bid to deter teenagers from using the drug.

The event, which is to be held on the Cornhill from 10am to 2pm next
Wednesday, will strive to get the hard hitting message about its
dangers across in light-hearted way.

A spokesman for Ipswich Borough Council said: "Between September and
December 2005, there were 13 calls to the ambulance service in Ipswich
for 'overdose' relating to cannabis use. This was more than for any
other illicit drug during this period.

"The survey targeted 132 of Ipswich's most vulnerable young people,
and the data suggested that the majority were using large amounts of
cannabis, on a frequent basis, and smoking the stronger strains, which
contain more of the active ingredient THC.

"Many of these young people reported feelings of anxiety, boredom and
depression, which appeared to be symptomatic of a completely
de-motivated lifestyle.

"Other features of this lifestyle included a poor diet and a lack of
participation in sports, and complaints from close acquaintances and
partners about the users' constant intoxication."

Brian Tobin, project manager for the Iceni Project, which helps
rehabilitate drug addicts in Ipswich, said most of his clients
attributed their drug addictions to the use of cannabis in their teens.

To make matters worse, today's society is also blighted by a stronger
strain of cannabis than in the past.

Mr Tobin said: "Cannabis is firmly entrenched in our society. The
difference between 20 years ago and now is the strength. Most of it is
cultivated as home-grown. That produces greater strength than herbal
cannabis or cannabis resin. It is around twice as potent as it was.

"The scientific evidence that is coming out now indicates if you do
smoke cannabis regularly you are likely to exhibit mental health problems."

Demotivation, paranoia and depression are often seen to be a mainstay
of users' lives.

Mr Tobin said: "We have seen a lot of youngsters who lose their
educations and livelihoods because they can't be bothered to go to
school. They are smoking it day in and day out. People become
dependent on it because it makes them feel normal and gets them
through the hurly-burly of life.

"We have got to get out of this thing where people say it's harmless
because it's not."

THE poll in Ipswich echoes national concerns about the association
between cannabis use, mental health, and other cognitive and
motivational impairments.

Among the symptoms are impaired work performance, lower self-esteem,
depression, and social withdrawal.

The Health Jam event will be a high-profile multi-agency one. Its aim
is to help provide healthy alternatives to a user's lifestyle.

Tibbs Pinter, Ipswich Borough Council's substance misuse officer and
the event's organiser said "It's time to take responsibility and rally
members of the community to support one another in developing a safer
and healthier Ipswich.

"A key focus of this first Ipswich Health Jam is to encourage and
celebrate principles of healthy living in order to promote alternative
choices to smoking cannabis."

At least 14 different groups and anti-drugs agencies will be taking
part in Health Jam. It has been designed as a celebration of youth
encapsulating a range of activities including sports, music,
information, advice, and healthy eating.

Has your child's life been blighted by drugs? Write to Your Letters,
Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send an
e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk http://www.eveningstar.co.uk/