|
Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
|
|
Isle of Man: Cannabis awareness campaign launched
Isle of Man Today Saturday 03 Dec 2005 CANNABIS AWARENESS CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED A MAJOR, year-long cannabis awareness campaign has been launched. The Drug Advice Service and Helpline has joined forces with the Department of Health and Social Security's health promotion team to increase the availability of credible cannabis information. The agencies hope it will encourage and support users to quit or cut down. Shelly Craig, DASH manager, said: 'There has been an increase this year in the number of cannabis users contacting our service and, while we are able to help these people we are also aware that there will be people in the Island who may find it a struggle to stop. 'Clearly prevention is best and all secondary school personal, social and health education teachers have been given lesson plans for use with their students, giving accurate information which will enable them to make informed choices about the risks of cannabis use.' This year's DASH annual report, released in May, said the most common query the charity received was about cannabis use. It revealed the number of calls about cannabis had doubled over the year. The report said the charity had found cannabis use had become more acceptable among secondary school-aged children. The drug, it said, was 'reasonably easy' to obtain. Cannabis is a class C drug, possession of which can land someone in jail for a maximum of two years and cost them a fine. Cannabis supply carries a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison plus a fine. Campaign information will be sent out to all youth clubs and workplaces will receive the offer of help next year. The first of the posters – displaying a young footballer struggling to get his breath on the field – goes on display across the Island this week. It is hoped the poster will provide the community, young people in particular, with a discussion point. Dawn Henley, senior health promotion officer, said: 'Cannabis has been identified as the highest prevalent drug in the Isle of Man. Research shows that, if used regularly, cannabis can trigger underlying mental health problems in some people which could lead to an increased risk of developing psychoses.' Other statutory and non-statutory services, such as the Drug and Alcohol Team and GP surgeries, are being invited to get on board with the ongoing project. The aim is to keep the issue in the public eye throughout the year. If you would like a leaflet or further information/advice on cannabis, contact the DASH confidential helpline on 615622 or health promotion on 642592. Alternatively email info@drugs.org.im
After you have finished reading this article you can click here to go back.
|
This page was created by the Cannabis Campaigners' Guide.
Feel free to link to this page!