Cannabis hospital admissions rise [UK - BBC]

[Lunar Loops]

Here comes the spin again.......very hard to see where you're going when you're stepping backwards......cause and effect....hmmmmm....this 'fine' piece of drug war spin comes courtesy of the BBC website:

Cannabis hospital admissions rise

Mental health hospital admissions in England due to cannabis have risen by 85% under Labour, figures show.
In 1996-7, there were 510 admissions, rising to 946 in 2005-6, data obtained by shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley revealed.
Over the last five years alone there was a 65% rise, with experts saying the figures were "the tip of the iceberg".
The government said it had been clear on cannabis - it was illegal and should not be used. Cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug in the country with over 2m regular users.

The figures obtained from Health Minister Rosie Winterton in a written House of Commons answer are for patients admitted to hospital in England because of a mental or behavioural disorder due to the use of cannabis.
Admissions are not the same as patients, so one patient may have been admitted more than once.
The figures include people with a chronic addiction to cannabis, people with an acute cannabis psychosis as well as those with cannabis-related schizophrenia.
But experts say many more cases may be missed or diagnosed simply as a mental health disorder instead.
Hidden problem
Professor Robin Murray, professor of psychiatry at London's Institute of Psychiatry and member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said: "There is no doubt that cannabis-related psychiatric problems have increased substantially.
"This might be down to better recognition, but I would say these figures are just the tip of the iceberg. Its only more recently that psychiatrists have understood the importance of cannabis use." He said cannabis use was a contributing factor in up to 10% of schizophrenia cases, yet this was under-recognised.

"There are probably 1,500 new cases of cannabis-related schizophrenia a year," he said.
Paul Jenkins, chief executive of the Rethink mental health charity, said: "These figures show that there is an urgent need for a properly funded campaign to help young people realise cannabis use is risky."
Marjorie Wallace, chief executive of the mental health charity SANE, said: "Psychiatrists have been telling us that 80% of patients admitted with their first episode of psychosis have been taking the drug.
"We strongly urge the government to heed the growing evidence and take urgent action to warn young people that some of them are risking lifelong mental illness - that they are playing Russian roulette with their minds."
Policy
Mr Lansley added: "Awareness of the link between mental illness and cannabis has increased over recent years, as has the strength of the drug.
"Both these factors have contributed to the sharp increase of hospital admissions on mental health grounds.
"That's why the Conservatives have opposed the downgrading of cannabis and pledged to have it reclassified."
At present, cannabis is a class C drug but there have been calls to move it back to class B.
A Department of Health spokeswoman said: "Our message is clear - cannabis is harmful, is an illegal drug and should not be taken. "Our policy on cannabis is in line with the drugs strategy, with emphasis on enforcement, prevention, education, and treatment; evidence shows that cannabis use is falling across all age ranges."

[Whit]

Last Updated: Thursday, 7 June 2007, 17:05 GMT 18:05 UK
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Cannabis hospital admissions rise

There are over 2m regular users of cannabis

Mental health hospital admissions in England due to cannabis have risen by 85% under Labour, figures show.
In 1996-7, there were 510 admissions, rising to 946 in 2005-6, data obtained by shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley revealed.
Over the last five years alone there was a 65% rise, with experts saying the figures were "the tip of the iceberg".
The government said it had been clear on cannabis - it was illegal and should not be used.
Cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug in the country with over 2m regular users.
This might be down to better recognition, but I would say these figures are just the tip of the iceberg


Professor Robin Murray of London's Institute of Psychiatry


The figures obtained from Health Minister Rosie Winterton in a written House of Commons answer are for patients admitted to hospital in England because of a mental or behavioural disorder due to the use of cannabis.
Admissions are not the same as patients, so one patient may have been admitted more than once. The figures include people with a chronic addiction to cannabis, people with an acute cannabis psychosis as well as those with cannabis-related schizophrenia. But experts say many more cases may be missed or diagnosed simply as a mental health disorder instead.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6732005.stm

[hh339]

That's about the worst crap I've ever heard! "Cannabis-related schizophrenia"? Is this when you are schizophrenic AND stoned at the same time??

[enquirewithin]

Psychiatrists have been telling us that 80% of patients admitted with their first episode of psychosis have been taking the drug.

There is obvously no direct correlation at all. How many of these people 'have been taking' (whatever that mught mean) alchohol or anti-depressants? Most of, if not all, I would expect. People with psychiatric problems will always want to find something to blame their problems on, epsecially if invited to.

The BBC makes fime claims to be 'balanced' and 'objective' with it's news but there is no balance in this article. They have only quote openly anti-cannabis 'authorities', with zero attempt at presenting the other side of the story. The BBC loved WMDs, now it's DMDs!

I have seen SANE quoted in this context before. Curiously enough, I find this on their website:

Following the government's late payment on its contract, and non-renewal of funding, there was a real danger that SANEline would not survive.

Someone has sense. Looking at their website, I can't find any reference to any members with any relevant qualifications. Not Marjorie Wallace, "CEO."

This is what they say about alchohol:

Use of alcohol can increase depression and suicidal thoughts and behaviours. Whilst the role of alcohol in intensifying depression is well established, it is not yet clear whether it plays any part in triggering schizophrenic illness or causing a relapse.

And cannabis:

There is continuing controversy about whether cannabis, which does alter perception, can cause full-blown psychotic illness. The prevalence of cannabis abuse among people with schizophrenia is the same as that in the general population so it probably has no causative role. There is however evidence that cannabis can cause temporary psychosis in those who have already experienced schizophrenia, although the condition is short-lived depending on the level of cannabis in the blood. Cannabis is best avoided by any schizophrenia sufferer since it may aggravate the condition.

http://www.sane.org.uk/public_html/A...hol_Drugs.shtm

Note the sentence in bold! Why is Marjorie Wallace then making such outlandish statements to the BBC? The answer: to get funding and keep her job as a "CEO" of SANE. An authority on nothing!

[Whit]

LOL, I assume there talking about when they're not stoned!

As far as I was aware the link to possible mental health issue's has always been an issue with cannabis,

[enquirewithin]

Oops! Double-post!

SWIM has aspirin-related psychosis!

[Whit]

Funny how BBC News being so good at bringing the news to people repeat there stories emitting spelling mistakes etc a few months later lol.

[enquirewithin]

Originally Posted by Whit

LOL, I assume there talking about when they're not stoned!

As far as I was aware the link to possible mental health issue's has always been an issue with cannabis,

For people with potential/ latent mental health issues life itself is a minefield!