Legalise Cannabis – Legalise Drug Induced Mental Health Issues

Families around the world know the nightmare of a young person who develops mental health issues as a direct result of too much drug use. Legal or not legal, some people just can not handle, or stop at, recreational drug use. Cannabis is of particular concern in its modern strengthened form as it is responsible for many a poorly person who may never totaly recover a balanced mental and emotional life.

Legal drug use is not a victimless legislation, and there is no way of knowing if it will by your nephew, son or neighbour who will be one of the few who develop serious problems. If it is, you will know about it, and then you will be in a world of hurt and frustration. Paranoia, psychosis or schizophrenia are very difficult to treat in young persons. This is made all the harder when the young person has been using drugs from late teens into early 20’s and still live with parents. They have been stoned through the normal emotional and mental maturing process. They find they are scared and aggressive, and totally dependent on friends and families to look after them.

The good news is that only 1 in 10 persons has a pre-disposition to problematic drug use / alcohol use / gambling etc. The bad news is that on average 6 persons are directly affected by the drug induced problems of a friend or relative. 9 out of 10 persons who phone treatment centres, go to GP’s for help are the family, not the person with the problem. Who hits rock bottom first?

As a Family Interventionist I am of course exposed to this in my work more than most. I am not against the fun and recreational or medicinal relationship with drugs that many want to focus on. However, please do not turn a blind eye to those who will be victims of this legislation. It is always the family and friends who ring for help. You could be one of them.