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Cannabis Trend Prompts Fears. Magistrates Express Alarm at Drug Use
Wodonga, AU - Two magistrates presiding in North East courts have expressed grave concerns about the upward trend in drug use.
One of them, Mr John Murphy, has described the prevalence of cannabis in the community as "a nightmare for parents and frightening".
Mr Peter Couzens said there was an enormous number of cannabis-related matters coming before him.
"It is in my view a very dangerous drug," he said.
But Mr Couzens also believes amphetamine use in the North East and particularly Wodonga is more prevalent than other areas of the State.
Both have spoken out about the impact of drugs on families because of what they see as further worrying trends.
Recently Mr Murphy was advised by police that 52 per cent of 108 matters listed for Shepparton Court were drug-related.
A couple of days later 48 per cent of the matters listed at Echuca Court likewise involved drugs.
Both Mr Couzens and Mr Murphy say significant numbers of cases listed at courts at Benalla, Myrtleford, Wangaratta and Wodonga likewise involve drugs.
Mr Murphy said statistics showed that in 1996 the strength of cannabis was about 6 per cent.
"Now it can be as high as 26 per cent and averages about 13 per cent," he said.
He said much of the cannabis was hydroponically grown, was better quality and the heads of the plants rather than leaf.
The added strength of the drug is a real danger for teenagers tempted to experiment with it.
Mr Couzens said heavy, protracted use of cannabis could lead to mental health issues.
He said drug users came to Wodonga to obtain amphetamine or derivatives of it, such as ecstasy.
Source: The Border Mail
Copyright: 2005 © The Border Mail and its respective contributors.
Contact: Mark Mulcahy, webmaster@bordermail.com.au
Website: bordermail.com.au
Wodonga, AU - Two magistrates presiding in North East courts have expressed grave concerns about the upward trend in drug use.
One of them, Mr John Murphy, has described the prevalence of cannabis in the community as "a nightmare for parents and frightening".
Mr Peter Couzens said there was an enormous number of cannabis-related matters coming before him.
"It is in my view a very dangerous drug," he said.
But Mr Couzens also believes amphetamine use in the North East and particularly Wodonga is more prevalent than other areas of the State.
Both have spoken out about the impact of drugs on families because of what they see as further worrying trends.
Recently Mr Murphy was advised by police that 52 per cent of 108 matters listed for Shepparton Court were drug-related.
A couple of days later 48 per cent of the matters listed at Echuca Court likewise involved drugs.
Both Mr Couzens and Mr Murphy say significant numbers of cases listed at courts at Benalla, Myrtleford, Wangaratta and Wodonga likewise involve drugs.
Mr Murphy said statistics showed that in 1996 the strength of cannabis was about 6 per cent.
"Now it can be as high as 26 per cent and averages about 13 per cent," he said.
He said much of the cannabis was hydroponically grown, was better quality and the heads of the plants rather than leaf.
The added strength of the drug is a real danger for teenagers tempted to experiment with it.
Mr Couzens said heavy, protracted use of cannabis could lead to mental health issues.
He said drug users came to Wodonga to obtain amphetamine or derivatives of it, such as ecstasy.
Source: The Border Mail
Copyright: 2005 © The Border Mail and its respective contributors.
Contact: Mark Mulcahy, webmaster@bordermail.com.au
Website: bordermail.com.au
