BERMUDA'S DRUG OF CHOICE

THERE is a certain irony at work when you consider that as more and more
Bermudians press for Independence, Britain, the "Mother country", is moving
towards decriminalising marijuana, the island's number one recreational
drug of choice.

Britain's move will no doubt bring consideration of our own legislation to
the forefront. Certainly there are many issues involved and a positive
aspect of the debate is that it provides a chance to review the pros and
cons concerning the drug and an opportunity to educate ourselves about its
more harmful effects.

The issues are not clear-cut. Historically, marijuana use in the 1930s was
linked with violence, crime and aggression and this led to harsh penalties.

Today, that viewpoint has proved not to be entirely accurate. Research
indicates that marijuana use is far less likely to lead toward aggression
than alcohol, a socially and legally accepted drug.

While many might argue for legalisation based on their individual views,
the effects of the drug on a broad cross-section of the community need to
be considered before any change to its legal status is made. Conclusions on
the drug's safety should not be based on broad generalisations or heated
arguments but rather on the outcome of rigorous scientific research that
has been carried out over the years.

There is sufficient research to conclude that marijuana is not an entirely
safe drug for all types of potential users. Just as we place warning signs
on cigarette packages so the negative consequences of marijuana use should
be clearly identified.

Foremost in the argument against decriminalising marijuana use should be
the fact that it is considered a "gateway" drug to other harder more
addictive substances; designer drugs, cocaine and heroin. In studies
comparing heavy to occasional marijuana users it was discovered that among
the heavy users up to one-third displayed some form of substance abuse or
dependence on other drugs.

One study found that adolescents who used marijuana were 104 times as
likely to use cocaine compared with peers who never smoked marijuana. This
is an important risk factor, particularly for individuals in families where
there might already exist a history of heavy drug or alcohol use. It is
also especially significant in recovery where the use of marijuana is known
to have a direct link with relapse into harder drugs. This occurs because
marijuana activates the same pleasure centres of the brain as the other
drugs so reactivating the craving. This is referred to as a polydrug
dependence.

An equally harmful impact of marijuana use is what is referred to as an
"amotiovational syndrome". This is where the user "drops out" because of a
loss of interest in goal-oriented activities. This can be particularly
devastating for adolescents at the threshold of adulthood and in the
process of making career decisions that will affect the whole course of
their lives.

In an effort to further understand this problem research has shown that
there is a direct link between depression and marijuana use. That marijuana
for first-time users could be linked with a drive to self-medicate
depression. For adolescents in particular, this can create a dependency and
make it very difficult to break unless the depression is also recognised
and treated at the same time.

Often this may require a brief admission to a rehab, extended care and/or
medication. Sadly, for many, the option of getting this form of treatment
is well beyond their family's financial means. Once the habit has set in it
puts enormous strain on a family which is likely already struggling with
numerous other problems.

THESE findings correspond with my own experience working with male,
drug-addicted clients in recovery. More than 90 per cent of those in
treatment began their drug and alcohol use in early adolescence. An equally
high percentage of those addicted to hard drugs started their drug history
using marijuana.

Many of these individuals did not complete their high school education
despite their intellectual capability and were caught, later in life, in
the trap of being unable to compete for other than menial jobs. The
frustration they experience because of this makes it even harder to
overcome their addiction.

Another area that needs to be looked at, particularly in Bermuda, is the
effect of the drug on those members of the community who suffer from mental
illness. Research in this area indicates that in young schizophrenics,
heavy marijuana use contributes to an earlier onset of the condition and
more frequent episodes. Of particular importance for adolescents who are
already being treated for depression, ADHD, or other affective disorders,
is the danger of negative drug interactions.

Further studies have looked at the effect of marijuana use during
pregnancy. Although there are no noted effects during the first few years
of life, by age four the children have been observed to display increased
behavioural problems and decreased intellectual functioning, goal-directed
behaviour and impulse control. These results suggest that chronic marijuana
use by the parent may impact the child's development particularly in the
pre-frontal lobe functioning of the brain.

Other research points to an increased risk of non-lymphoblastic leukaemia
and other medical complications. While there is sufficient evidence to
suggest that moderate marijuana use for a healthy adult has little negative
effect and is indeed less harmful than alcohol, clearly there are risk
factors for many in our society.

Much scientific research indicates that the young are especially vulnerable
especially in our highly technological society. And it is among the young
that cannabis use is increasing.

Clearly the issues are not straightforward and the application of legal
restraints probably the most difficult to make. But perhaps the most
important issue in all of this debate is the need for open dialogue and
greater public awareness on the negative impact of the drug.

WE all have the freedom to choose what we do or don't do in our lives. We
are far better off if we can make our choices equipped with the necessary
information from the outset. Finally, it should not be overlooked that
marijuana, like alcohol and other drugs, is a commodity.

For many individuals there is considerable money to be made by promoting
the positive effects and glamorising the lifestyle while down playing the
negative. At the very least it is the responsibility of good Government to
take an independent and informed stance on the issue making sure that the
public are well educated on the health risks of using the drug, just as
they have, more recently, with the tobacco industry.