NEW CANNIBIS (SKUNK), TEENAGERS, PARENTS AND THE GHANAIAN COMMUNITY INBRITAIN

Fellow Ghanaians,

As a parent and Substance Misuse Practitioner, I?wish to share my?FEAR with you about the emergence of `SKUNK` in the Drug scene in UK.

According to Global Cannabis Commission Report(2008), cannabis is used worldwide by 'a conservatively estimated 160 million people'.

In 2005,Cannabis(marijuana, dope, weed,?grass, blow, spliff, ganga, hash-slang names) was downgraded from Class B Status to Class C Status in UK. That meant society assumed that the substance is relatively HARMLESS. The Police was liberal in its approach when someone was `smoking` a small amount, compared with hard substance like Heroin or Cocaine which are Class A Drugs.

Stronger Cannabis called `SKUNK` now DOMINATES the Cannabis market, making up 80 per cent of the CANNABIS available on the streets of UK compared with 30 per cent in 2002.

Mark Henderson (2006) has noted that when a teenager uses Cannabis that might open a biological 'GATEWAY' to more serious Drug Addiction later in life..

The ingredients in Cannabis cause PERMANENT DAMAGE, particularly to the STILL-DEVELOPING BRAIN. Cannabis use in the short term can lead to PANIC ATTACKS and PARANOIA. Its regular use in some teenagers may lead to later development of PSYCHOTIC DISORDER such as Schizophrenia.

For people with Schizophrenia, it can worsen the symptoms and lead to relapse. Cannabis use can also damage teenagers lungs and their reproductive system.

The recent shift to the use of STRONGER forms such as SKUNK will increase these problems as well as CRIME.

The Government has therefore reversed Cannabis to?its CLASS B Status because of the EMERGENCE of SKUNK.

I therefore, urge fellow?Ghanaians to 'educate' the teenagers in their Communities about these DANGERS.

By Owusu Ansa BOAFO Substance Misuse Practitioner London 21 March 2009