08/06/2007 00:00:00
UK: Cannabis-related hospital admissions on the rise
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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
Source:
http://www.ukcia.org/news/shownewsarticle.php?articleid=12599
Author:
EarthTimes via UKCIA
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