THE ‘‘good, the bad and the ugly’’ of cannabis use will be explored in a series of expert workshops being held this month in the region.
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The Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District’s (ISLHD) Community Drug Action Teams are using Drug Action Week, June 17-23, to host three Mulling Myths of Marijuana workshops in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven.
The workshop presenter will be Annie Bleeker, who has worked in the alcohol and other drugs sector since 1990. She is now employed as a senior research officer at the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre.
Ms Bleeker said the workshops would dispel myths and provide up-to-date information about marijuana use.
‘‘There are a lot of myths around cannabis, that because it’s ‘herbal’ that it is not bad for you, that it is better than alcohol,’’ she said.
‘‘But that’s not true. It is a drug.
‘‘There is this notion that marijuana is 20-30-40 times stronger than it used to be. We have evidence to suggest that it is twice as strong.’’
Ms Bleeker said cannabis use was more widespread than ever, with people starting at ever younger ages.
‘‘Cannabis is an interesting drug. One in three Australians have tried it and 4 per cent worldwide. It is definitely here to stay,’’ she said.
‘‘Kids are using at a younger age and more often than in the ’70s and ’80s. The classic time for most kids to experiment with alcohol and drugs is 15-16, Year 9-10, and that is a worrying time for parents. In the ’60s and ’70s young people using were uni students, rather than high school students.
‘‘These kinds of workshops are useful for giving parents information on what they can do if they find a bong or a joint in their kid’s room.’’ ISLHD Drug & Alcohol community engagement officer Dianne Woods said the workshops would highlight the health consequences of regular cannabis use and the impacts on individuals, families and the community.
‘‘What we do know is it is linked to mental illness. It is also believed that you can’t actually be addicted to cannabis but we know one in 10 people can become dependent.’
The workshops will be held on Wednesday, June 20 from 12.15-1.15pm at Kiama High School and Thursday, June 21 at Wollongong City Council, level 9, 6-8pm. Bookings are essential. Phone Tina Camitz on 4254 2700 or email Martina.camitz@sesiahs.health.nsw.gov.au.
