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We were priviledged with some holiday breaks this month; Easter and Independence, and I took time to mingle and observe the electric atmosphere of celebrations that were at hand. Of interest were a group of youths who l observed taking marijuana and having their alcohol in one of the western suburbs.
These were youths ranging from the ages of 15 to 17, and they began conversing on how independent they were as it was independence holidays and so they could smoke and drink as much as they could, no one could stop them, not even if God came down. So I then inquired from them how they felt on having smoked marijuana and drunk alcohol, they simply said a�?timera�? we feel independent from the world we are in our own world. So I then asked them if they understood the adverse effects of these a�?independence toolsa�? they were using and they simply said a�?haa timer kuyafana bheka siwise njania�?.
Having touched much on alcohol in the past weeks, I felt looking at marijuana and the effects it has on the youth could help those that are on the path of experimenting and those that are already indulging.
Marijuana is one of the most misunderstood drugs of our time, as there are many myths and cultural beliefs over the drug.
Marijuana use directly affects the brain, specifically the parts of the brain responsible for memory, learning, attention, and reaction time. These effects can last up to 28 days after abstinence from the drug.
Science confirms that the adolescent brain, particularly the part of the brain that regulates the planning complex cognitive behaviour, personality expression, decision making and social behaviour, is not fully developed until the early to mid-twenties. Developing brains are especially susceptible to all of the negative effects of marijuana and other drug use.
Marijuana contains about 500 components, most of which we know little about. The most prominent component is called THC. Scientists have found that THC is what produces the a�?higha�? usersa�� experience. In todaya��s street marijuana, which is usually smoked, producers have increased THC levels by more than four-fold, and reduced the natural levels of other components that have actually been shown to reduce the high. Higher THC content can increase all of the usual negative effects of the drug.
One of the most well designed studies on marijuana and intelligence, released in 2012, found that marijuana use reduces IQ by as much as eight points by age 38 among people who started using marijuana regularly before age 18 but then stopped. Other studies have found that marijuana use is linked with dropping out of school, and subsequent unemployment, social welfare dependence, and a lower self-reported quality of life than non-marijuana abusing people.
To the young person there is no wisdom you will gain from marijuana use but an altered perception of reality leading to a life lived in errors.
Mthandazo Ndlovu is a drug prevention and rehabilitaion specialist. For help and more information contact 00263772399734 or email [email protected]
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