DANGERS OF CANNABIS

From Dr Andrew Wilski

Sir, In view of the public naivety about cannabis and the pro-cannabis
propaganda, any reminders about the dangers associated with the drug ought
to be welcome ("Are there real uses for cannabis?", Body and Mind, May 14).

To anyone working in the field of psychiatry it should be obvious that
cannabis is a stealthily noxious substance. I am certain that the drug has
never done any real good to anyone, but those who are mentally sturdy may
tolerate its use without suffering great harm, though inducing regularly a
state of torpor ("getting stoned") and misjudging it as "relaxation" will
carry some long-term dangers.

On the other hand, individuals with sensitive brains or malformed
psychological constitutions, or both, will be always seriously affected by
cannabis and will suffer either an acute or chronic psychosis, or
disordered mood. With time, a state of low motivation with reluctance to
make constructive efforts in life develops and leads further to a general
sloth, aimlessness and consequent depression.

There is a strange lack of will among many mental health workers to take
the evil of illegal drugs very seriously and American studies show that
psychiatrists are often unaware of their patients' use of the drugs or that
they ignore the fact that the patients' derangements are primarily caused
by the drugs.

It is also apparent that the widely reported criminal behaviour of people
described as "psychiatric patients" or "failures of community psychiatry"
is often directly related to the effects of illegal drugs. Such people's
behaviour cannot be effectively controlled by any psychiatric system but
requires an energetic intervention of law-enforcing agencies.

Calls for legalisation of cannabis often stem from ill-will or ignorance. I
am convinced that wide use of the drug would in the long run cause terrible
psychological and social devastation, especially among the increasing army
of confused young people who are growing up without any proper parental
affection, moral guidance, edifying culture or philosophical basis in life.

Yours faithfully, ANDREW WILSKI (Consultant psychiatrist and Medical
Director), Pembury Hospital, Pembury, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 4QJ. May
19.

Checked-by: jwjohnson@netmagic.net (Joel W. Johnson)