AMPUTEE PENSIONER BEGS: LET ME TRY IT

AN AMPUTEE who lives in constant agony yesterday pleaded to be allowed to
legally take cannabis to control his pain.

Carnoustie man George Kiwala has suffered terrible pains that leave him
unable to sleep, read or concentrate for more than a few seconds since he
lost his right leg in a road accident nearly 20 years ago.

He has tried every drug and treatment doctors can suggest but to no avail.

Now George, 69, is begging the Government to change the law so he can
legally use cannabis.

He said: "I have tried everything there is to try.
"Some days the pain isn't too bad but on other days, like today, the pain
takes over and becomes too much to bear.

"Friends and doctors have recommended that I should try taking cannabis and
I am ready to try anything now, the pain is so bad.

"But cannabis is still illegal and I feel it would be totally wrong for me
to be prosecuted for trying to control my suffering.

No Choice

"The law should be changed immediately so I, and people like me, can take
cannabis without the fear of being prosecuted.

"I haven't taken cannabis yet but the day is fast approaching when I have
to take the drug, whether it is legalised or not. I don't have any other
options.

George was left with a 21/2 ins stump after a road accident in 1979.

Soon after the amputation he started suffering severe ghost pains.

Seven years ago he was given electric shock treatment in an attempt to
relieve the pain in his spine but it continued.

Now George is waiting for a second operation to fit a pump inside his body
which releases tiny amounts of morphine into his spine.

He said: "I have spoken to Dr Pertwee, who wrote the BMA report, and it
seems like this research is aimed exactly at people like me.

"I find it ridiculous that doctors cannot prescribe cannabis to carry out
trials but they can prescribe heroin any time they like."