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<\/p>\nBRITS bored, stressed and jobless in lockdown have fuelled a boom in cannabis use \u2014 raising fears of a mental health timebomb.<\/p>\n
Huge demand has led county lines gangs to flood regions with the drug.<\/p>\n
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Buyers are people missing the buzz of social contact, or self-medicating to relieve anxiety.<\/p>\n
Cannabis has become cheap and plentiful as pub and club closures mean less demand for party drugs such as cocaine and ecstasy.<\/p>\n
Those caught dealing, growing or in possession know the punishments are less severe.<\/p>\n
Advice service Release surveyed adult users and found seven out of 10 transactions since the pandemic started have been for cannabis.<\/p>\n
Buyers admitted using the drug more. Police have seen a 28 per cent rise in possession offences.<\/p>\n
Campaigners are especially worried about the drug\u2019s long-term impact on teenagers \u2014 exploited at a speed never seen before.<\/p>\n
Many who have lost jobs in hospitality are lured by gangs seeking couriers as well as customers.<\/p>\n
Studies show smoking cannabis as a teenager may lead to a lower IQ \u2014 and risks illnesses such as schizophrenia and depression.<\/p>\n
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Speaking ahead of Children\u2019s Mental Health Awareness week, MP Amanda Solloway warned: \u201cWe need to have our eyes open to the possibility that this large cannabis increase could cause a mental health timebomb.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe use of cannabis, and the idea of \u2018self-medication\u2019 that surrounds this, is a huge concern.<\/p>\n
\u201cGrowing up I had a difficult relationship with my mother who was addicted to alcohol and prescription drugs.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause of this I acknowledge just how fine the line can be between using a substance in an attempt to make an existing mental health condition feel better, while at the same time potentially worsening a condition in the long run, or creating new ones.\u201d<\/p>\n
Expert Prof Mary Cannon added: \u201cLoss of IQ points early in life could have significant effects on performance in school and college and later work prospects.\u201d<\/p>\n
There\u2019s a huge illegal jobs market with perfect candidates readily available.<\/p>\n
Dr Mohammed Qasim, of the London School of Economics, said gangs are exploiting under 20s \u201cat a speed never seen before\u201d.<\/p>\n
Some 16-year-olds earn \u00a321,000 a year as couriers. Gangs offer them cars, accommodation, iPhones and PlayStations. <\/p>\n
Dr Qasim warned: \u201cThere\u2019s a huge illegal jobs market with perfect candidates readily available.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cannabis is Britain\u2019s most commonly used drug. Around 33 per cent frequently use it morpoe than once a month \u2014 compared with 8.7 per cent of cocaine users.<\/p>\n
Last year super skunk, a strong form of the drug, led to a record 99,782 people being admitted for NHS treatment.<\/p>\n
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A dealer told how cannabis is ordered on the dark web then shipped from California to the likes of Manchester and Liverpool.<\/p>\n
They said: \u201cI\u2019ve had loads of new buyers who need something to replace the hit off booze. Forget Dry January, this is high January.\u201d<\/p>\n
Police and Crime Commissioner, Hardyal Dhindsa, the UK lead on alcohol and substance misuse, said the rising demand had been seen in prosperous and neglected areas.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cPeople used to a buzz or enjoyment in their life will want another now it\u2019s stopped. We are in lockdown. Humans are social animals. "All of this is going to lead to people being more likely to consume cannabis.\u201d<\/p>\n
A Midlands officer said last year\u2019s raids on encrypted messaging service Encrochat had made cocaine and ecstasy dealing harder but cannabis was still easy to sell and can be grown at home.<\/p>\n
They added: \u201cPeople are less well-off. Cannabis is considerably cheaper. The penalties are also not as severe.\u201d<\/p>\n
People used to a buzz or enjoyment in their life will want another now it\u2019s stopped. <\/p>\n
David Raynes, of the National Drug Prevention Alliance, admitted: \u201cWe have had mixed messages from Chief Constables about punishment which has undermined the message that cannabis is extremely harmful.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s been a virtual decriminisation \u2014 a feeling that if you get caught you won\u2019t get punished.\u201d<\/p>\n
National Police Chiefs\u2019 Council lead for drugs, Jason Harwin, said: \u201cCannabis production not only feeds a multi-million pound illicit market, but is a driver for more serious crime.<\/p>\n
"Our tactics are already showing some success, with a 13 per cent increase (in the year to March 2020) in the overall amount of cannabis seized.\u201d<\/p>\n
West Midlands Police busted \u00a390million of the drug last year and closed 398 large farms.<\/p>\n
Guns, machetes and trafficked people were found at farms.<\/p>\n
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ADMIN Assistant Emma Barnes (not her real name), 22, from Edinburgh, suffered psychosis from smoking cannabis as a teen.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cAt 14, I thought I\u2019d be branded a loser if I didn\u2019t join my friends in smoking a joint.<\/p>\n
\u201cInitially it relaxed me and my anxiety disappeared.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone told me it was harmless fun. But after a year I realised I couldn\u2019t sleep properly or feel confident without a spliff.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn 2014 two of my friends invited me to nearby woods for a smoke. I was gripped by anxiety and fear.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery drag I took convinced me my friends were going to murder me.<\/p>\n
\u201cI later realised I\u2019d had a psychotic episode caused by cannabis use.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mike Hall, manager of the drug unit, told The Sun: \u201cAnyone who claims \u2018It\u2019s just a bit of weed, haven\u2019t police got better things to do?\u2019 is being very na\u00efve. These are criminal enterprises run by serious crime groups.\u201d<\/p>\n
Last night a Government spokesman said: \u201cWe are committed to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people in this pandemic.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are also working to prevent drug misuse in our communities and help people through treatment and recovery, while continuing to increase funding and expand vital mental health services.\u201d<\/p>\n
By Carol Cooper, Sun Doctor<\/p>\n
THE pandemic has raised fears about young people\u2019s mental health \u2014 and spliffs are certainly not the answer.<\/p>\n
Evidence suggests cannabis can have permanent effects on the brain.
It can trigger anxiety, paranoia and even hallucinations.<\/p>\n
High-strength skunk can also raise the risk of psychotic illnesses, especially for those who start in their teens.<\/p>\n
Families should be aware of the dangers.<\/p>\n
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