Rethink: Brown faces test of integrity on Monday – experts set to tell him ‘keep cannabis class C’
Rethink logo for press releases
Friday, 25, Apr 2008 12:00
The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs is set to make its recommendation on cannabis classification to Gordon Brown this Monday and all the signs are that they will tell him to keep it at class C. Yet Brown has hinted heavily he will push ahead with reclassification regardless of expert advice. Rethink, the mental health charity is considered an expert on the link between cannabis and mental illness and gave evidence to the ACMD.
Rethink urges Gordon Brown to heed the advice of his experts on Monday.
Rethink believes there is a link between the drug and mental illness – but reclassification won’t stop people smoking cannabis –an education campaign warning of the mental health risks will. If Brown pushes ahead with reclassification he’ll be wasting millions on redrafting legislation and retraining police – and achieve very little indeed. Instead he should spend those resources on a strong education campaign. Rethink has figures that show:
Cannabis is linked to mental illness
· One study found those using cannabis before 15 are 4 times as likely to develop psychotic illness by 26
Reclassification Won’t Work
· Only 3% of people say that the legal status of cannabis influences their decision to smoke it
· Cannabis use has actually dropped since downgrading in 2004 (Home Office figures)
Education Campaigns Will Work
· People who are educated about the mental health risks are far more likely to stop smoking it
· 40% of people say the warnings on cigarette packets influence them to quit – the same could work on rolling papers
Rethink has spokespeople and case studies available.
For further information or comment call the media team:
Vicky Trimikliniotis 020 7330 9149 vicky.trimikiniotis@rethink.org
Hilary Caprani 020 7330 9112 or 07870 204583 hilary.caprani@rethink.org
Hilary Caprani
Senior Media Officer
Rethink
Working together to help everyone affected by severe mental illness recover a better quality of life.
Phone: 020 7330 9112
Mobile: 07870 204583
Fax: 020 7330 9102
Visit http://www.rethink.org/
Please join us today www.rethink.org/join
Download and buy Rethink publications at http://www.mentalhealthshop.org/
5th Floor
Royal London House
22-25 Finsbury Square
London
EC2A 1DX
Disclaimer:
Press releases published on this page are from key opinion formers who promote their
organisation's activities by subscribing to a campaign site within politics.co.uk.
politics.co.uk does not endorse, edit, or attempt to balance the opinions expressed
on this page. The content of press releases are wholly the responsibility of the
originating company or organisation.