A report by the Australian Institute of Health & Welfare shows a rise in the number of men aged 25 to 34 with a very high level of psychological distress after the use of illicit drugs.

Almost two out of very five people that had used an illicit drug in the last month reported high to very high levels of psychological distress.

(Source: “Mental Health Services in Australia, 2003/4”; Australian Institute of Health & Welfare)

DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA COMMENTS

This INCREASING level of psychological distress is very disturbing for the security and stability of our community.

It is particularly disturbing that young men are being impacted with severe distress levels.

These young men are in the prime of their life when they should be forming families and making major contributions to our community.

The Mental Health Council of Australia has warned that the link between cannabis use and drug related psychosis is RISING.

New South Wales Premier Morris Iemma has recently confirmed the link between long term cannabis use and severe mental health problems particularly for high strength hydroponic cannabis.

Hydro as it is known can be up to seven times stronger than conventionally grown cannabis.

The stronger THC in the Hydro cannabis causes more brain damage leading to the psychosis.

Mental health authorities are finding it hard to cope with this increasing level of psychological distress.

THE DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA SUPPORTS-
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.
2/2006