Realwomen of BC - Archives - December2003

THE REAL NEWS The R.E.A.L WOMEN of BC Newsletter December 2003, BOX 39068, Point Grey RPO, Vancouver, BC V6R 4P1, Tel/Fax: 604- 463-1611, website: http://www.realwomen.bc.ca, e-mail: lgeschke@almatree.net Back to contents
Drugs Health Canada has revealed that the use of the drug ecstasy among teens is on the increase (Oct 2003). Batches of illegal drugs seized by police in 1998 found ecstasy in 303 investigations but in 2001-2002 that number is 1511. The drug, technically methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) became popular at teen raves but is now common at house parties according to informal reports. The 2001 Ontario Student Drug Use Survey found that nearly 10 % of all grade 11 and 12 students in the province had taken the drug and even among grade 8 students the percent was up from 2.3% in 1999 to 7.2% in 2001. Ecstasy has not been found to be deadly but has been linked to hampering the body''s ability to regulate temperature, and by that to heart, kidney and liver problems. Globe and Mail reporter Gloria Galloway interviewing a teen who wished to remain anonymous revealed that high school students can buy the drug for $10-$15 a tablet and some then razor-edge it into powder and sniff it while others take it by mouth. As the city of Vancouver, with financial help from the federal and provincial governments, embarks on a liberal approach to our drug problem, such as safe injection sites and the Canadian government calls for decriminalization or even legalization of drugs, the Swiss are having second thoughts. According to an editorial in the Schweizer Revue dated June 3,2003, the Swiss seem to regret the path they have taken in dealing with their drug problem. There is a push to legalize Marijuana in Switzerland and if not fought by those that oppose legalization, the drug will be legal starting in 2004. The product will be readily available as Switzerland is one of the largest producers of Marijuana in Europe. About 87 000 people smoke Marijuana daily (a country that has about 7 million people) and about a quarter of these people are 15 to 24-year olds. According to the editorial by Pablo Crivelli, the Swiss cannabis is of "good quality and contains often above l5% of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the ingredient that gives the high. The side effects of smoking Marijuana include fear, panic, disorientation, confusion, and depression. THC also interferes with concentration and recall. The hemp growing industry is huge business in Switzerland, grossing about one billion dollars a year. The hemp growers are pushing strongly for complete legalization. Due to lax law enforcement and legal loopholes, illegal hemp growing has increased dramatically. Areas bordering neighbouring countries have seen a phenomenal increase in hemp farming. Legalization of Marijuana would allow anyone from the age of l6 to consume Marijuana. Those growing Marijuana would have to declare the THC content and would not be allowed to sell it to foreigners. In order to make the consumption of "soft" drugs less appealing, the government suggests a tax on the product, part of the income to benefit the Swiss Pension Plan.and Disability Insurance while the rest would go to prevention.

Drugs