New drugs fear (From Witney Gazette)

New drugs fear

3:01pm Wednesday 3rd January 2007 in Witney By Rosalind Miles

TEENAGERS are increasingly using home-grown cannabis, a Witney youth worker has claimed.

A potent type of cannabis, known as skunk, is being smoked by youngsters with worrying effects, according to youth worker Jude Levermore, of the Base 33 Youth Centre.

She said: "With the recent terrorist threat and the subsequent rise in national security, the level of imported cannabis has fallen.

"Young people are turning to locally-grown cannabis which, being stronger and more potent, produces increased physical and medical problems.

"There is a popular belief that cannabis is harmless, but the paranoia caused can be horrendous."

Thames Valley Police and Oxfordshire Drugs and Alcohol Action Team confirmed there is more home-grown cannabis in circulation.

When asked if the increase was because of heightened border security, drugs co-ordinator PC Lee Thomson said: "It's quite probable. There seems to be a lot more homegrown in circulation. It used to come from Pakistan and Morocco, but now it seems to be produced here - and it is stronger.

"But Oxfordshire is no different from anywhere else in the country." Det Chief Insp Joe Kidman said: "We have seen an increase in the number of cannabis factories being discovered in the Thames Valley area in the last year or so, which broadly reflects the national picture."

Bill Holman, communities manager for Oxfordshire DAAT, said: "I know that cannabis on the streets is a lot stronger than it used to be and is more likely to be skunk. The police concentrate more on Class-A drugs than on cannabis and so overall it could be building up over the last couple of years.

"Comparing cannabis and skunk is like comparing weak lager and 40 per cent proof vodka. It can be damaging, especially to young people."

Barry Beadle, head of services for Cranston Drug Services in the Thames Valley, said: "Skunk can be up to four times stronger. The smell and appearance of skunk and of grass is very similar, so people sometimes don't know what they are getting.

"There is evidence that excess use does cause low-threshold mental health problems - such as paranoia, depression and anxiety. Nothing conclusive has been proved but if you have underlying mental health problems it can lead to extenuated symptoms."

Base 33 is the working name for the Witney Ecumenical Youth Trust, which employs four detached youth workers to support young people aged 13 to 19, partially paid for by West Oxfordshire District Council and other local community funding.

The Witney Rotary Club recently donated £150 to Base 33 in appreciation of the good work they do.

To contact Base 33 e-mail mailto:base33_witney@yahoo.co.uk.

Anyone who wants more information or is worried about friends or family should call the Government helpline: Talk To Frank on freephone 0800 776600.