|
|
This is a drug which, in
low doses, reduces the brain's awareness of sensory impulses, particularly
and can produce a temporary feeling of well-being (euphoria). Taken
in large dosage it induces sleep which can lead to unconsciousness,
coma and convulsions. In other words it is a Narcotic drug.
It is often smoked and taken casually. It is easily available and there
are considerable pressures, mainly on young people, to take up the habit.
Partly due to peer pressure and the fact that "has a feel good factor",
it is popular at gatherings and parties. All members of society take
part, even Cabinet Ministers, as was revealed in a recent press publication.
It has to be stated, of course, that this is not an ongoing situation
and appears to have been taken experimentally at a young age.
Politicians are now voicing their opinions and Annabel Goldie of the
Scottish Tories said that "the party was on record as stating that penalties
had to be tougher for drug dealers, including confiscation of assets."
The eradication of drug was the ultimate aim but in the meantime, the
party had put forward some thoughts on rehabilitation.
It seems a pious hope at the moment that there will eventually come
an eradication of drugs, particularly cannabis, as the record in other
areas, which have arguably even worse problems, have never been seriously
tacked and never will be. Those areas are alcohol and smoking.
So far as cannabis is concerned, the Scotsman appears to have workable
ideas. The first being a Royal Commission which seems necessary. However,
the record is abysmal in regard to the time it takes to receive their
reports and it would seem sensible to set a date on their deliberations.
As Harold Wilson said "Royal Commissions take minutes and waste years".
Addicts should be given more advice and help and young people should
be made more aware of the dangers, not by pontificating adults, but
by the involvement of their peers.
There is another point to be addressed. Does cannabis have a place in
the pharmaceutical armament of the medical profession?
There is anecdotal evidence from those who suffer from disseminated
sclerosis that their symptoms are ameliorated. There is at present an
ongoing study (Hammersmith Hospital NPC Study) in which cannabis is
being studied for its pain controlling ability.
Patients who have had operations (volunteers) will be given either pills
containing "tetradrocannabinol" the active ingredient of cannabis, or
normal pain killers, or harmless placebos, and it will be determined
which is most effective.
If there is a positive finding, Cannabis (its recognised positive ingredient
manufactured by a pharmaceutical company) may well be prescribed by
practitioners with the safeguard that it would be on the list of "dangerous
drugs". This initially would not be particularly popular with front
line doctors, but if it were to turn out to be a "positive drug" with
good results, it would be accepted.
The recent public government comment on Cannabis may therefore produce
some positive thinking from which we hope will come action.
 |
|
