Anti-drug campaign to target young people

THE Government is to tackle the growing problem of cocaine and cannabis use among young people in a hard-hitting campaign.

The latest initiative will highlight the psychological and physical dangers of cocaine use and, particularly, the additional health dangers associated with taking alcohol and cocaine on a night out.

There will also be a specific public information and advertising campaign focusing on cannabis use, particularly among young people, later in the year.

A recent study by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD) found that almost 16,000 people smoke cannabis daily.

The NACD report found a strong link between cannabis use and schizophrenia, particularly among vulnerable individuals. It also found people with depression were more likely to be heavy users of cannabis.

Figures compiled by the gardaí show the extent of the cocaine problem. More than twice as much coke was seized last year compared to 2003, according to garda estimates. More than 220 kilograms of the drug was seized last year, compared to 107kg in 2003.

The National Drugs Awareness Campaign, which is managed by the Health Promotion Unit, was launched in May 2003 by former Health Minister Micheál Martin to increase awareness of the misuse of drugs and its consequences.

The campaign’s website (www.drugsinfo.ie), which has an average of 2,000 visits per month, is being revamped and expanded to make it easier for those accessing the site to find out what they need to know.

A Health Research Board survey found that three out of four Irish people do not have enough information or have the wrong information about drugs.

With this in mind, the website not only raises awareness of drugs misuse but guides people to the appropriate information so that they can deal with the problem.

“The underlying message of the campaign is to make people aware that there is help available,” said Minister of State Noel Ahern, who is responsible for the National Drugs Strategy.

He added that new research into the campaign proved it had been effective in communicating that message.

Meanwhile, new research suggests that excessive use of cannabis could lead to brittle bones.

Scientists in Britain have found that molecules on the surface of bone cells are targeted by cannabis chemicals.

Professor Stuart Ralston, who led the University of Aberdeen research, said: “If you use a lot of cannabis it could stimulate bone-absorbing cells, and that would be bad.”