Cannabiseverything you want to know

Mark CampbellDrug & Alcohol Counsellor

NUI Galway

28th August 2008

Cannabis – topics to be covered

What it is Effects Dependence The Law Medical uses Prevalence Details of services

Hash (resin), Herbal, Weed (skunk), Oil (THC)

Smoked (joint), cooked and eaten (hash brownies)

Depressant with hallucinogenic properties

Cannabis Resin (Hash)

Herbal Cannabis

High Strength Cannabis (Weed/Skunk)

Cannabis/Hemp Seeds

Cannabis EffectsMild euphoria, relaxation, talkative, long winded

giggly, munchies, time slower

Faces of CannabisEffects begin within few minutes, peak 30 mins last 2

hours25-30% remains in body after week

Physical Effects

Heart rate decreases Lower blood pressure Depressed respiration Impaired motor

co-ordination

Cannabis – (desired Effects)

Feeling of warmth Drowsiness & contentment Disinhibited - reduction in anxiety Sociability – increased closeness and

camaradie Thoughts – more imaginative and

creative

Cannabis – Undesired Effects

Poor concentration, short term memory affected

Apathy, demotivation Legal consequences Hallucinations, paranoia Acute psychosis (lasting few hours – 7

days), induce mental illness in those who are vulnerable

Cannabis (undesired effects cont’d)

Lung damage, wheezing, sputum prodn Male fertility (no and mobility of sperm) Effects on female fertility not known Dependence; abstinence resulting in

restlessness, agitation, insomnia, lack of appetite

Dependency/Addiction Physical dependence – often

measured by the physical disturbance created by the absence of the drug

Psychological dependence – overriding compulsion to obtain and retain the drug whatever the consequences

Symptoms of Dependence Using more, or for longer than you intended

A constant desire to use, or trying to give up and failing

Spending a lot of time trying to get supplies,

using and recovering

Spending less time on important activities or giving them up altogether

Needing more of  the drug to get the same effect

Unpleasant symptoms when you stop

Death by Cannabis

a 2 kilo block dropped on your head from the 25thfloor of a high rise building

The Law Possession of cannabis a criminal offence. A person can be convicted for possession of cannabis and given a

maximum fine of €635 for a first offence and for a 3rd or subsequent offence an unrestricted fine and/or 3 years prison sentence.

The penalties for supplying cannabisa re potentially much harsher than for mere possession, higher fines and longer prison sentences.

The Gardai have the power to stop, search and detain if they have

reason to suspect a person of being in possession of an illegal drug. It is not illegal to have cannabis in your bloodstream, though it is an

offence to drive under the influence of cannabis.

It is not illegal to possess cannabis seeds but it is illegal to grow a cannabis plant.

Cannabis Medical uses? Synthetic compounds incl nabilone used Relieve nausea from anti-cancer meds Reduce spasticity (multiple sclerosis) Anticonvulsant Lower eye pressure in glaucoma Psychoactive and cardio effects generally

limit therapeutic usefulness (raise bp which can subseq suddenly drop)

Prevalence of Drug Use DRUGS (CLAN survey – 2002/03 -21 third level colleges)

% last 12 mths% last 30 days

Cannabis 37.3 (m=49, f=25) 20 (m=30, f=10)Ecstasy 8Cocaine 5.8

16% of students had used cannabis ten times or more in the past 12 months (22% males, 11% females)

6% of students had used cannabis more than ten times in the last 30 days (9% males, 3% females)

REGULAR CANNABIS USE IS NOT THE NORM AMONGST 3rd LEVEL STUDENTS

Where to go for help?NUI Galway offer a free and confidential counselling service to all students and have a specific drug & alcohol counsellor

Contact: Student Counselling Service, 5 Distillery Road, NUI Galway. Office Hours: Mon – Fri between 9.15am and 1pm and 2.15pm and 4.15pm. www.nuigalway.ie/counsellors

Cannabis website: www.nuigalway.ie/checkoutcannabis

Appointments 091-492484 or email: counselling@nuigalway.ie

Drop in any time Mon – Fri between 2.15-4.15pm to see a counsellor

Counsellors : Bea Gavin, Emer Casey, Geraldine Connolly, Eamonn O’ Dochartaigh

Drug & Alcohol Counsellor: Mark Campbell

Where to go for help?Drugs Counselling Service: Galway 091-561 299 Mayo North 096-60060 Mayo South 094-9020430 Roscommon 071-9664900

Cocaine Clinic 091-561 299

Drugs Helpline: 1800 459 459 Alcoholics Anonymous: 091-567807 Narcotics Anonymous: 01 6728000 Samaritans 1850 609 090

Text Help to 51900Live help online www.drugs.ie