Pot smokers not high on life
2005-06-15 13:53
Cape Town - A study has found that youngsters between 12 and 17 years, who smoke dagga weekly, are three times more likely to have suicidal thoughts.
This is the message from the Information Centre for Mental Health at the University of Stellenbosch, ahead of Substance Awareness Week which will run from June 19 to 25.
Dagga can cause lifelong mental illnesses in some people and it has been found some teenagers who smoke "pot" have a greater risk of schizophrenia.
A high consumption early in their lives and a family history of schizophrenia increases the risk even more.
In many cases dagga is the drug young people experiment with first, as it is cheap and easy to get. Many people think it is a harmless "soft" drug compared to cocaine and heroin.
But dagga is very damaging to the young, growing brain and may have an enormous impact on youngsters' emotional health.
Dagga hampers judgment and concentration, and may have a prolonged influence on memory and thinking ability. Dagga users cannot carry out more complex tasks such as school homework.
Dagga may heighten anxiety and cause panic attacks — and these symptoms are more intense among those who already have them. The drug also considerably increases the risk of developing depression.
People can phone the centre at 021 938 9229 for more information, or visit www.mentalhealthsa.co.za.