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Experts warn of time bomb scarring a generation

Cannabis testing urged for schools

By Iain Harrison

MINISTERS are facing calls to introduce drug testing in schools after it emerged one child a week is admitted to a Scottish hospital due to cannabis abuse.

Experts are warning of a potential health time bomb caused by the increasing use of super-strength versions of the drug.

They fear a generation is being left permanently scarred by mental health problems, including paranoia and schizophrenia.

Psychiatric help

Our investigation shows 260 children were hospitalised in the five years to 2008 because of a cannabis-related illness.

Dozens more were admitted to psychiatric units and mental wards. Over the same period almost 3000 adults needed medical attention after using cannabis.

Figures published by the Scottish Government last week revealed around one in eight 15-year-old boys and one in 10 girls said they used cannabis in the last year.

Around 80 per cent are estimated to smoke the “skunk” version of the drug.

Ten times more potent than the cannabis smoked in the 1960s, it’s believed to double a child’s chances of developing a severe mental illness.

The drug’s health toll is revealed in official data compiled by health authorities and obtained by The Sunday Post.

Last night, Debra Bell, founder of campaign group Talking About Cannabis, said random drug tests in schools would address the problem.

Concerned

She added, “I’m extremely concerned by these figures and it’s clear something must be done quickly before we lose an entire generation.

“This is a time bomb waiting to explode because there’s no cure or treatment for anyone who’s ever been addicted to cannabis.

“We want to see random drug tests introduced in every school. This would discourage many children from trying cannabis in the first place.”

Drugs adviser Alistair Ramsay said the figures are a wake-up call to society. He added, “This clearly shows cannabis is a dangerous drug and can cause serious health problems and it belies the myth that it’s just a harmless smoke.

“No one really knows the impact this will have on future generations.

“All we can do is massively invest in our young people and in prevention programmes so they don’t feel the need to take drugs in future.”

A World Health Organisation study published last year found more than a quarter of UK teenagers have experimented with cannabis, which has been linked to a string of vicious killings.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said there is no national policy on drug testing in schools.

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