Youth drug 'link to schizophrenia'
Updated on 21 March 2007
Using cannabis under the age of 18 greatly increases an individual's chance of developing psychosis, it has been claimed.
According to mental health charity Rethink, at least five international studies have found cannabis use at this age doubles the risk of mental illness.
Some research suggests that those who have used cannabis more than 50 times have six times the usual risk of developing schizophrenia, the charity says.
A spokesman for Rethink said: "We now know that cannabis can be a trigger for mental health problems and smoking it under the age of 18 can double people's chances of developing psychosis.
"The Government must invest in a wide-scale public health campaign so that young people know cannabis is not risk-free."
Rethink, in a recently published article, says that for those with severe mental illness, using cannabis greatly reduces your chances of getting better.
It claims that smoking cannabis at any age is associated with mental health problems.
And according to the charity, two studies have estimated that 13% of schizophrenia could be averted if all cannabis use were prevented.
One study suggested 50% of the most serious cases could be avoided.
Rethink are hoping the Government will launch a campaign in Britain on cannabis, similar to the current one on smoking.
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