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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Cannabis-related hospital admissions on the rise
Jayesh P. Yadav EarthTimes
Friday 08 Jun 2007 LONDON - Official UK figures show that mental health admissions due to cannabis abuse under the Labour government have risen by over 80 percent. Experts said that the official data showed a 65 percent increase in the last five years itself. This data obtained by shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley revealed that there were 510 cannabis-related admissions into mental health facilities in 1996-97. This figure shot up to 946 in 2005-06. Cannabis happens to be the most abused illegal drug in England with over 2 million people estimated to use it regularly. "There is no doubt that cannabis-related psychiatric problems have increased substantially," said Professor Robin Murray of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. "This might be down to better recognition, but I would say these figures are just the tip of the iceberg. Its only more recently that psychiatrists have understood the importance of cannabis use." The figures were released by Health Minister Rosie Winterton as a part of House of Commons answer to a question posed by the opposition. The admissions into hospitals related to the mental or behavioral disorders resulting from cannabis abuse. It was reported that the number of patients might not be proportional to admissions because one patient might have been admitted multiple times. "These figures show that there is an urgent need for a properly funded campaign to help young people realise cannabis use is risky," said Paul Jenkins, chief executive of the Rethink charity. http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/70873.html
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