Half of cannabis users seeking treatment take the drug daily
More than half of cannabis users who seek outpatient treatment in Malta are daily users, according to a report on the State of the Drugs Problem in Europe.
The report is produced annually by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction and covers the EU member states as well as Croatia, Turkey and Norway.
Overall in these countries 22 per cent of primary cannabis users seeking outpatient treatment were occasional users (or had not used the drug in the month before entering treatment).
They would have probably been referred to treatment by the criminal justice system.
The report said that 11 per cent, (across the surveyed countries) used cannabis weekly or less often; about 17 per cent used it two to six times a week; and 50 per cent were daily users - the most problematic group.
Considerable differences could be observed between countries.
While in Hungary, Romania and Croatia, more than half of cannabis clients were occasional users, in Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Ireland, Spain, France, Malta and the Netherlands more than 50 per cent were daily users.
Malta was among seven countries, namely Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Romania, Finland, Sweden, Norway, that reported overall stable and low lifetime prevalence of cannabis use during the period.
The report quoted the ESPAD school surveys carried out in 2007 to establish the lifetime prevalence of cocaine use among 15 to 16-year-old school students.
This had increased by at least two percentage points since 2003 in France, Cyprus, Malta, Slovenia and Slovakia.
Malta was also among the countries reporting the highest well-documented estimates of opioid use, together with Ireland, Italy and Luxembourg.
The proportion of injecting drug users among notified cases of hepatitis C declined in six countries between 2003 and 2008, and increased in three, namely the Czech Republic, Malta and the United Kingdom.
While 13 per cent of overdose deaths reported in Europe occured among those aged under 25 years, in Austria, Romania and Malta percentages of 40 per cent or more were reported.
This, the report said, might indicate a younger population of heroin users or injectors in these countries.
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T.Cauchi
Nov 12th 2010, 14:56
A full time researcher??? and you confuse cannabis with meth, cocaine and heroin??? you must be your boss's ace up the sleeve looool!
T Magri
Nov 11th 2010, 10:36
Why keep Cannabis illegal? I believe that if such a wonderfull and very resourceful plant is illegal, than cigarettes and alcohol should be illegal too!
The chemical THC found in the Marijuana plant is helping a lot of people throught the world, especially cancer patients. Apart from its Medicinal and relaxing value, it can be processed to make fabrics and even paper! Saving a lot of trees from being cut down. This world is literaly Insane for putting a ban on such an amazing plant! Legalize it!! and don't worry IT'S JUST ORGANIC!
M.Cachia
Nov 11th 2010, 11:29
Your argument is complete and utter rubbish. Let me list a few more organic items which have medical benefits too.
Methamphetamins
Heroin
Cocaine
Would you like to legalise them too.....
T.Cauchi
Nov 11th 2010, 13:52
M.Cachia, Meth, coke, and smack are all processed and there are a lot of chemicals added to them. Cannabis is a plant which is used on its own, after drying. Do some research before you comment!!!!!!
Daniel Gordon
Nov 11th 2010, 15:33
Deary dear, M.Cachia,
You haven't got the foggiest, have you?
Meth=N-methyl-1-phenylpropan-2-amine
or C10H15N
Heroin=(5α,6α)-7,8-didehydro-4,5-epoxy-17-methylmorphinan-3,6-diol diacetate
or C21H23NO5
Cocaine=methyl (1R,2R,3S,5S)-3- (benzoyloxy)-8-methyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1] octane-2-carboxylate
or C17H21NO4
None of the above are strictly natural products as ALL MUST BE CONVERTED using chemicals.
Heres my tip for you - RESEARCH. THINK. COMMENT.
If you don't have anything worthwhile saying, please don't say anything.
Because its not worth our while.
M.Cachia
Nov 11th 2010, 20:28
Dear all - I happen to be a full time researcher and this happens to be my field. But then I'm sure you all know much more than I do. I mean what's Ph.D in Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Medicine compared to your reading of internet articles
Daniel Gordon
Nov 12th 2010, 10:18
Easy to say stuff anonymously. There is obviously no way for anyone to verify your claims.
Then again, a small amount of further research (for someone of your skills, no problem) will turn up irrefutable proof that the substances you have mentioned are simply non organic in the terms that you meant.
I do not just read or write internet articles.
I do research of my own. On the plant and on my body.
And for any person to call anothers comments "utter rubbish" show a high degree of Nihilism and disrespect. Get out of your lab and see the real thing.
Hemp IS a world saver. Cannabis Sativa/indica IS a life prolonging substance.
What right do you or anyone else have to tell me what I can do to myself, in my own time and in my own house?
Pia Attard
Nov 16th 2011, 10:19
M Cachia,
Meth labs explode all the time due to the dangerous chemicals they use to produce it. Are you ON meth to be suggesting something as ridiculous as this?
Austin Psaila
Nov 11th 2010, 10:32
Long-term effects
Regular and continued use of cannabis may cause or contribute to a number of health problems, including:
a chronic cough, wheeze, shortness of breath, or chronic bronchitis - cannabis smoke contains many substances which irritate the airways, and many smokers tend to hold the smoke in for longer, which aggravates respiratory problems
an increased risk of cancers of the lung, mouth, throat and tongue - cannabis smoke contains numerous carcinogens
an increased risk of psychotic symptoms, especially if the person has a history of psychotic illness, such as schizophrenia
cannabis dependence
reduced fertility in both men and women
an increased risk of low birth weight babies, or possible birth defects, if cannabis is used during pregnancy....LOLLLLLLL...what's new these are EXACTLY the same symptoms that regular tobacco smokers suffer. The only difference is that we pay the government heavy taxes on tobacco, so we can legally suffer & die with these unique Marjuana smoking diseases. What a insult to anybodies inteligence.......
S. BONAVIA
Nov 16th 2011, 09:58
You got it all wrong my friend weed is good for ashma if smoked on its own with no tobacco involved.
ASpiteri
Nov 11th 2010, 08:30
the only reason why cannabis or any other drug stays illegal is that governments want to control us!
it should be up to the individual to decide what to intake in his own body, not bureaucrats, priests or a bunch of do-gooders in some NGO. as he's responsible for his own actions, he too will have to pay for his stupidity. so he can simply forgets free health care in case of overdose and most of all, no free detox courses at the expense of hard working taxpayers!
beside the needle, what is most common among all junkies is irresponsibility, and if we really want to be series about solving the problem on the long term, then we only have to shift the responsibility from the nanny state and the NGOs upon the individual himself!
David Caruana
Nov 10th 2010, 20:50
Legalise it and heal the world!
David Caruana
Nov 10th 2010, 18:55
"They would have probably been referred to treatment by the criminal justice system"
This is the crux of the whole article.
Cannabis USE does not need treatment.
However, ABUSE of cannabis, abuse of chocolate, abuse of alcohol, abuse of work hours, and even abuse of water (water intoxication) might need treatment.
Can any expert please tell us how many people DIE (not just "seek treatment") due to consumption of prescription drugs?
Can anyone else please tell us how many people DIE (again, not just "seeking treatment") due to consumption of alcohol and tobacco (both legal)?
If you are asking yourself the question "how many people died due to cannabis consumption", I'll give you the answer to that. Throughout all recorded history, from every part of the world, the total number of people who died due to cannabis consumption is ZERO, yes, NONE!
robert micallef
Nov 10th 2010, 21:45
Dear David, maybe no one died as direct consumption however there are studies which prove that you are 5 times more likely to develop lung cancer. so ok you were killed by cancer not by the drug. plus you have an increased risk in the development of psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia etc etc. the list is long so please feel free to fool your self that its good for you but do not try to encourage others to use it as its so safe.
Miguel Micallef
Nov 11th 2010, 10:30
Marijuana does NOT cause cancer. Smoking does. If you ingest/vaporize marijuana there's no increase of cancer risk. Again, a misinterpretation from your side.
M Agius
Nov 10th 2010, 18:53
Legalize it!
J. Falzon
Nov 10th 2010, 18:45
Umm...I think it's obvious because the "treatment" is forced upon Marijuana smokers. And how can you be treated for smoking weed? It's like smoking cigarettes with a bit of spice in it and that depletes some brain cells eventually. However, I still don't know why tobacco and alcohol are more accepted in society than the taboo subject of marijuana, considering that the former are MUCH more harmful than the latter. How many people die because of excessive alcohol consumption or die early from heavy smoking? How many people die from "Marijuana Overdose", which can never happen?
mary james
Nov 10th 2010, 18:37
the vote will be taken again in 2012 robert and next time it will probably pass. you miss the point anyway and i can see no reason to waste my time spelling it out to you.
doh!
robert micallef
Nov 10th 2010, 21:30
no you miss the point..it did not pass. next time we will see. but do not use a vote which failed to leverage your argument. Even Holland is trying to close down half the "coffee" shops by 2012. they have learnt the hard way.
what you all fail to say is that people who take heavy drugs usually start off by using lesser drugs like cannabis. that is the first step.
Miguel Micallef
Nov 11th 2010, 10:29
The only reason Holland is closing down coffeshops is because of problems that tourists cause. In fact, the first step they will take is that you will need to be a resident to access coffeshops. Don't misinterpret, please. They did not learn anything the hard way. Actually, the hard thing is coming now, because the Dutch will have to pay millions of Euros lost in tourism, themselves.
C.J Bractin
Nov 10th 2010, 17:38
There is no evidence that the use of any hallucinogen (including cannabis) results in physical dependence.
When it comes to opioids, well... thats a whole different story.
Heroin addicts are sick people who cannot act in any other way. They need to be cured and by curing these people could be the only possible solution to eleminate the drug epidemic. If there isn't the consumer there shall not be a supplier.As long as heroin need exists, someone will service it. Which brings me to question whether the state is doing all that is possible in order to cure these people? Are the methods used in the drug rehabilitation facility methods up-to-date and effective? Why isn't apomorphine [see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apomorphine] used in the process of rehab?
On the other hand I realise that heroin & other addictive chemicals is big business not only for the criminal organisations.
Ray borg
Nov 10th 2010, 17:35
Grass is greener when you smoke it :)
Karl Consiglio
Nov 10th 2010, 17:18
Cannabis is OK.
Mario Ellul
Nov 10th 2010, 17:05
"and 50 per cent were daily users - the most problematic group."
What is so problematic about using a herb that is far less destructive on health, family and society than alcohol?
T.Cauchi
Nov 10th 2010, 19:50
Definition of being problematic -
- laughter and talkativeness
- feeling of well-being
- some loss of concentration, problem-solving ability and short-term memory
- slower reaction times (which means that driving ability is impaired)
- changes in heart rate and blood pressure (sometimes including a drop in blood pressure on standing , which can result in dizziness)
- increased diameter of larger air passages in the lungs
- bloodshot eyes
- altered perception of time
( http://www.dassa.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=128 )
Mamma mia xi problema dik!!!!!
Mario Ellul
Nov 10th 2010, 20:53
And more pastizzi and twistees are consumed under its sublime influence.
Ask any police officer in the western world he or she will tell you most calls for violence , domestic or others wise, and destruction to property are for people under the intoxicating and addictive qualities of legal alcohol and that is not mentioning the emergency calls to the ER departments of hospitals for alcohol poisoning and for stitches and bandages for bang ups of aggressive and violent alcohol consumers. Every week end it is the same thing.
Now compare that with someone who lit up a reefer, a world of difference in behavior.
If corruption did not run this world, alcohol would be illegal and cannabis would be legal.
J.Borg
Nov 10th 2010, 16:40
Do you know why they seek treatment ? Because when they are caught they are offered to go to jail or seek treatment instead. Obviously they are going to choose treatment. Cannabis should not be treated in such a manner since its safer than alchohol and cigaretted 2 very addictive drugs which kill millions every year and yet they are completely legal. The US currently treats many cancer patients with cannabis and has very good results with it. California also had a vote to legalize it where 45% of its population voted yes !
Lenny Degiorgio
Nov 10th 2010, 16:58
LEGALIZE IT!
robert micallef
Nov 10th 2010, 17:08
in other words the vote did not pass.