Growing numbers of cannabis users are needing hospital treatment for \u2018mental disorders\u2019 after smoking super-strength skunk, drugs campaigners warned last night.\u00a0 In just three years, the number admitted for treatment has increased by 50 per cent – as the chemically enhanced danger drug has flooded the streets.<\/p>\n
Last night drugs campaigners warned young people were severely damaging their mental health, and blamed permissive policing, including the use of cautions and spot fines.<\/p>\n
Mary Brett, a trustee of Cannabis Skunk Sense said: \u2018This worrying trend was entirely predictable, as a growing proportion of the cannabis on sale in Britain is now extremely potent skunk. This rising potency would seem to coincide with the numbers going into hospital, as more children are using this dangerous drug.We need an end to the authorities turning a blind eye to cannabis as if it is a harmless substance, as these figures show it clearly is not.\u2019<\/p>\n
Skunk sold on Britain\u2019s streets is mostly grown in this country and is around five times as potent as traditional weed. Recent years have seen its prevalence surge compared to imported cannabis resin.\u00a0 Figures released by the Department of Health show hospital admissions linked to cannabis use have increased by half in three years.<\/p>\n
In 2008-9 some 651 admissions were recorded by the NHS in England relating to a diagnosis of \u2018mental or behavioural disorder due to use of cannabinoids\u2019. By 2011-12, that figure had risen to more than 1000.<\/p>\n
The figures were released to shadow health minister Diane Abbott in response to a question lodged in Parliament. Last night Miss Abbott said: \u2018These figures are really concerning.I think that too often, people are willing to romanticise cannabis. What we\u2019re seeing on our streets is often skunk – many times more powerful than the cannabis which today\u2019s ageing baby-boomers smoked in college.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018The government\u2019s lack of focus and interest in this issue, and the way they have abolished the National Treatment Agency, means that many of these problems may get even worse. Evidence of the damage to mental health caused by cannabis use – from loss of concentration to paranoia, aggressiveness and outright psychosis – is mounting and cannot be ignored.\u2019<\/p>\n
Skunk sold on Britain\u2019s streets is mostly grown in this country and is around five times as potent as traditional weed\u00a0 A 2008 Home Office survey found average concentrations of THC – the active ingredient in cannabis – of 16 per cent.But in some samples the level was much higher – up to 45 per cent.\u00a0\u00a0 Skunk also contains less of an anti-psychotic ingredient which moderates the harmful effects of THC.<\/p>\n
Repeated studies have shown the harmful impact on mental health of cannabis use among young people.\u00a0 Research has suggested skunk users under 18 are four times more likely to suffer from schizophrenia in later life, and users under 15 may be ten times more likely than adults to suffer harmful effects.\u00a0\u00a0 Scientists also found long term use of skunk can lead to \u2018significant and irreversible\u2019 fall in a young person\u2019s IQ.<\/p>\n
Earlier this year, the Mail revealed chief police officers have quietly adopted a new \u2018softer\u2019 policy on illegal drug taking.\u00a0 It means a \u2018less robust enforcement approach\u2019 on possession of drugs such as cannabis, with more offenders receiving spot fines.<\/p>\n