NDC MOUNTS CAMPAIGN AGAINST MARIJUANA 'EPIDEMIC'

The National Drug Commission (NDC) is launching a campaign against an
"epidemic" of marijuana use among the youth.

The NDC will also address the public at Harbour Nights next Wednesday. Health
Minister Patrice Minors said: "Marijuana use is an epidemic. It is time we
faced facts about marijuana and what it is doing to our youth.

"We as a community need to discredit the current misconceptions surrounding
marijuana and increase awareness and information regarding its effect on
people."

She said the perception that marijuana was a safe drug was untrue. The NDC says
the campaign aims to reduce the use of the drug and boost public awareness. NDC
chairman Rev. Andrew Doughtysaid attempts to legalise marijuana were misguided.