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 arijuana
(including cannabis, hashish and hash oil) is the most commonly used
illegal drug by young people everywhere. Marijuana has been the subject
of controversy for several decades, but never more so than in recent
months. The current debate around the appropriate place of marijuana
in Canadian society has revealed some deeply held and opposing values
that can sometimes overshadow clear thinking and balanced information.
Why many young people use marijuana
Today's young people are growing up in a world that tolerates more
forms of substance use, both medical and non-medical, than at any
other time in history. The powerful marketing capacities of the tobacco
and alcohol industries, and their focus on the youth market, add to
this environment. Finally, an unprecedented ease of access to various
media has meant that more young people than ever are "consuming"
a pop culture that tends to tolerate or even promote substance use.
Drug use is nothing new. People have used a wide variety of substances
throughout history to satisfy some sort of need, ranging from enhancing
pleasure, to relieving stress and coping with long hours of work.
Young people use substances for many of the same reasons as adults,
but there are special pressures associated with normal adolescent
development - and the search for identity - that help to explain the
popularity of marijuana today. Research demonstrates that adolescents
may use marijuana as a way of ?
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Marijuana
use by Canadian teens among the highest in the world
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- demonstrating independence;
- developing values distinct from parental and societal authority;
- developing strong peer bonds;
- seeking novel and exciting experiences;
- taking risks and satisfying curiosity.
The motivation to use marijuana is reinforced by the spirit of the
times, which one commentator has described as "a runaway world"
filled with uncertainty and a lack of direction.
How young people get started using
marijuana
Young people are most often introduced to marijuana by friends. Most
use marijuana for the first time out of curiosity and to be sociable.
Those who continue to use usually report that they do so to relax,
feel good, enjoy music and movies, and to be sociable. Those who choose
not to use say they're just not interested or that they fear the adverse
health effects. They do not tend to mention the penalties associated
with use. Only about 50% of users report that they enjoyed their first
experience - many don't feel anything, while others experience unpleasant
psychological effects.
Why some have problems with marijuana
usePeople usually develop problems with marijuana
use as a result of a combination of personal, family and school-related
factors. These factors may include mental health issues, a troubled
home and family environment, or weak performance in school. Daily
use of marijuana is a strong indicator of potential problems. A review
of studies shows that problematic marijuana use is linked with.
- truancy
- low self esteem
- delinquent behaviour (stealing, vandalism, fare dodging)
- having delinquent friends
- hanging out on streets (boredom)
- other behavioural and mental health issues (for example, those
in special education programs tend to use more)
It is important to note that saying these problems are linked to marijuana
use, is not saying that one is caused by the other, but only that
there is a statistical association.
Effects of marijuana on health and
performance
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Do
possession laws make a difference to young people?
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The active ingredient in marijuana is tetrahydrocannabinol
or THC, which, when ingested, produces a range of effects that include a sense
of well being; a feeling of relaxation; enhanced sociability; difficulty concentrating;
distortions in sense of time, vision and hearing; and at higher doses, auditory
and visual hallucinations. Other effects include increased heart rate, reddening
of the eyes, sedation, increased appetite, and decreased muscle tone. The extent
of these effects and the actual experience of the user will be determined by a
number of important factors
that can vary greatly.
Use of any drug has some measure of risk attached to it, and marijuana is neither
a demon weed nor a benign substance. As with all substances, it is important to
distinguish between casual, regular and heavy use, with negative
effects being more likely with heavier use. Studies of effects are hampered
because marijuana is often used in combination with other substances, particularly
tobacco.
Any discussion of risks and problems associated with marijuana needs
to include specific circumstances that can greatly increase those
risks, such as:
Use at an early age
The average age of first use of marijuana in Canada is about 14 years;
earlier use of marijuana (and other substances) may be an indication
of other issues in the child's life (such as mental health problems)
and can lead to other problems. There is no conclusive evidence to
support a theory that has been proposed for many years suggesting
that marijuana use leads to other illegal drug use - the so-called
gateway theory. While it is true that most users of other illegal
drugs (e.g., cocaine, heroin) have used marijuana, the vast majority
of young marijuana users do not use any other illegal substance.
Using in combination with other substances
When marijuana is used with other substances, from alcohol to heroin;
the results can be difficult to predict and potentially dangerous;
depending on the substance the effects may be additive (1+1), synergistic
(1x1), or may cancel each other out.
Using in combination with other activities
Driving: Marijuana affects driving
ability (PDF format); the risks increase significantly with dose and affect
certain tasks more than others (simpler tasks such as road tracking are more
affected than more complex tasks). When combined with alcohol, there is serious
driving impairment even at low doses.
School tasks: Because it can impair memory, concentration
and problem-solving, marijuana use combined with school or homework
has the potential to reduce performance.
Athletics: Marijuana is not a performance-enhancing substance;
rather it has the potential to impair performance, possibly leading
to injury. A study in Quebec showed that a startlingly high number
of students in that province play sports while under the influence
of marijuana.
Using while pregnant
As many people are aware, alcohol use during pregnancy can be very
risky and can result in life-long effects for the child; occasional
use of marijuana through pregnancy does not appear to result in any
effect in the newborn, while regular use has been shown to result
in reduced fetal growth. A long-term study in Ottawa has shown there
are subtle effects on cognitive functioning among offspring at 9 to
12 years of age of marijuana-using mothers.
Preventing marijuana use problems -
at home and school
What parents can do
If a person has not used marijuana or other substances during their
adolescent years, it is unlikely they will do so in the years following.
Those who do use during adolescence tend to "binge" or use
to intoxication. This pattern of use tends to fall off with the demands
of adulthood, particularly a job and family. Knowing that, parents
may wish to adopt an attitude toward marijuana and other drug use
that places the greatest emphasis on helping their child to get through
adolescence safely.
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Strive for a "middle path" in parenting
your teen, being neither overly restrictive nor overly lax; |
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Be aware of your own relationship with intoxicants,
and show a readiness to make healthy choices; |
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Look for natural opportunities to discuss substance
use issues; use occasions when the child has been or may be
in a drug-using situation as an opportunity to discuss their
use or non-use; |
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In discussion, bear in mind:
- listen to your child: their perceptions are the reality
that must be addressed;
- help them with their "decisional balance" by
weighing perceived benefits against risks; use this article
as a reference;
- young people are influenced by their perception of what
is "normal". Point out that although it may seem
"everyone" is using marijuana, the majority in
most schools and grades do not use marijuana.
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Consider a harm reduction approach with your
teen. That is, point out your preference that they not use marijuana
or other substances at all, but identify drug-using situations
that are particularly unsafe and really need to be avoided (for
example, using around driving and sexual situations, using to
the point of intoxication, using in combination with other substances
or medications, or while involved in physical or cognitive activity). |
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Be alert to problems:
- early use (under the age of 14) may be a signal that there
are other issues and problems that need to be dealt with;
- declining school marks and reduced interest in school;
this should be viewed as a red flag for a number of possible
problems, including drug use, that need to be followed up
with the school;
- changes in drug use; if for example, using to intoxication
appears to be increasing or occurring regularly, seek the
advice of a professiona
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What schools can do
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The overall school environment sends messages
about the worth of students and the school's interest in promoting
their health and safety. Schools need to strive to be an attractive,
positive place for all students. These values need to be reflected
in school policies that everyone is familiar with. |
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Pay attention to drug education, using evidence-based
programs; many programs in use today are not supported by research;
several methods, such as those based on life skills and normative
approaches, are showing greater promise. Programs need to be
delivered by competent, trained staff who are comfortable with
interactive and peer-based approaches. |
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Identify and provide support to those experiencing
difficulties with school and/or with substance use; again it
is important to use evidence-based approaches (such as the Opening
Doors program developed in this country), taking care to avoid
labeling these young people. |
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Be aware of community resources available for
those students who are showing signs of drug dependence. |
References for
this article and other helpful resources
References
Cannabis 2002 Report, A joint international effort at the initiative
of the Ministers of public health of Belgium, France, Germany, the
Netherlands, Switzerland. Ministry of Public Health of Belgium. 2002.
Preventing substance use problems among young people: a compendium
of best practices, Health Canada.
Zocolillo, M., Vitaro, F., and Tremblay, R., Problem Drug and Alcohol
Use in a Community Sample of Adolescents. Journal of the American
Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Vol. 38(7), 1999.
Fischer, B, Albanes, R, and Amitay, O. Marijuana, Juveniles and the
Police: What high school students believe about detection and enforcement.
Canadian Journal of Criminology. Vol 40(4): 401-420. 1998.
Helpful resources
Opening Doors, developed by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto.
1-800-661-1111
Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse
Cannabis
Links
Cannabis:
Frequently Asked Questions (PDF format)
How
does marijuana affect health?
Health Canada
Medical
Marijuana
Canada's
Drug Strategy
Canada's
Drug Strategy: Straight Facts about Drugs and Drug Abuse
Preventing
Substance Use Problems Among Youth People: A Compendium of Best Practices (PDF
format)
Government Surveys
Student/Adolescent Alcohol & Drug Use Statistics (CCSA)
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Article
prepared by Gary Roberts for the 
