DRUG LINK TO ATTENTION DEFICIT SYNDROME
A recent New Zealand study concluded that cannabis use leads to other drug use which in turn n leads to an increase in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms in adulthood.
The study measured 1265 children that had progressed to young adulthood.
Cannabis use by age 25 was significantly associated with increasing self reported adult ADHD symptoms by age 25.
ADHD symptoms include distractibility, the inability to hold attention and the lack of ability to focus for any length of time.
Cannabis is confirmed as a gateway drug to other illicit drug use.
(Source: Science Direct, 1 February 2008)
The Drug Advisory Council of Australia Comments
The study also reported that other scientific studies had shown that cannabis may be more harmful then previously believed.
There are frequent references in the scientific literature on cannabis that suggest that cannabis use may be associated with impairment of attention even when the individual is not intoxicated.
This study confirms that illicit drug use is particularly dangerous when driving and is a good example of why apprehended drug drivers must be diverted into detoxification and rehabilitation.
An extensive number of detoxification and rehabilitation programs for apprehended drug drivers are urgently needed throughout Australia.
Overseas experience shows that court directed and supervised detoxification and rehabilitation does work.
Lets ditch harm minimization for what works.
More detoxification & rehabilitation that gets illicit drug users drug free.
Court ordered and supervised detoxification & rehabilitation.
Less illicit drug users, drug pushers and drug related crimes.
10/2008