The Problem that Cannabis Posses for the Australian Society - Research Paper Example

Undergraduate Nursing Research Paper. Undergraduate Nursing Research Paper. 1 Abstract: 1 Introduction: 1 The Concern: 2 The growing problem: 3 Effects: 3 Policies related to cannabis: 4 Aim: 5 Methodology: 5 Results: 6 Conclusion: 8 Reference: 9 10 Abstract: The problem that Cannabis posses for the Australian society and the best possible means of dealing with this growing problem. This paper shall look at the reason for the growing problem and the ways that have been devised to help in the containment of this and to also along with this also to deal with those who are already suffering from this growing problem. Introduction: Cannabis is more commonly known as marihuana or marijuana is a psychoactive drug, the use of which is often observed in the young generation, although there are many who are addicted to it in the older section of society. It is usually used or utilised as a drug in its natural herb form. The major psychoactive chemical compound in cannabis is Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (abbreviated as Δ9-THC or merely just THC). At least 66 other cannabinoids are also present in cannabis, this has over the years come to includes cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV),cannabichromene (CBC), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabicyclol (CBL), cannabivarin (CBV), and cannabidivarin (CBDV), among, many others. Along with THC, some of these cannabinoids are pharmacologically active and contribute to the effects of cannabis. These compounds act by binding to and modulating the cannabinoid receptors CB1, CB2, GPR55 (proposed to be renamed as CB3), and GPR119 (may come to be known as CB4 in the future). The Concern: Over the past decade or so there have been observed by various studies and other academic groups and the research that they conducted that there have been growing incidences of the problem of drug abuse amount the young generation.(Royal College of Nursing, Australia). This problem has been observed in the younger generation more than that in the older generation, and a recent study that was conducted in the year of 2004 showed the statistics that the drug abuse in the age group of 18 and 25 is more than 70 percent, and of this population there has been observed that the use of cannabis is observed in more than 50 percent of the age group, where the cases of drug abuse was larger in men than in that of the women. It has also been observed that those who smoke more are more prone to experimenting with using cannabis than those who are not used to smoking tobacco. The growing problem: Cannabis is used to a large extent in a certain part of the population of the country, but this does not mean that the abuse of the drug does not exist in the other age groups. The mental health hospital has admitted that there has been increase in the abuse of cannabis in the country by almost 85 percent in the past decade or so. (Commonwealth of Australia 1994). The cause of concern has only increased with time. The National Drug Strategy Household Survey that was conducted in the year of 2004 showed that one of every three Australians that are in a population of 5.5 million, almost 33.6 percent, over the age of 14 has used cannabis in their lifetime. At the time of the conduction of the survey, it was observed that almost 4.6v percent or 0.8 million Australian had used cannabis in the last week. The average age at which the Australians use the drug for the first time was roughly estimated by the survey at 18.7 years. Effects: The effects that the use of this drug, which has been popularly observed in the population of the country, has been seen in the development of certain mental illnesses, such as psychotic disorders and schizophrenia. It has also been observed that the use of this drug has lead to the recurring problem of mood swings and it is also been believed that it may lead to depression. (Lenton, Simon and Ovenden, Claudia) There has been growth in the volumes of research that has been done on the topic, and although there has been a lot of information that has been collected on the topic, it is believed by some that the field is still new and has to be developed further. According to Professor Ian Hickie, Executive Director of the Brain and Mind Research Institute at the University of Sydney, much of the science in this area is ‘relatively new’. Policies related to cannabis: There has been over the years realised the need for policy formulation and development to deal with this problem that posses a major threat to the society. The laws that exist in the country are in relation and accord with the development that took place in the international drug treaties. Numerous enquires into drug use and trafficking have been conducted both in Australia and overseas.(Mental Nursing Homes) Australian committees have generally been very cautious about recommending changes to the legal status of drugs. Nevertheless, a number of high level Australian committees of inquiry have recommended the liberalizations of legislation relating to cannabis, or at least that such liberalization be carefully considered. The most recent of these at the national level was the Parliamentary Joint Committee on the National Crime Authority which reported in 1989, and at the State/Territory level, the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly's Select Committee on HIV, Illegal Drugs and Prostitution, which reported in 1991. The problem that exists in the country has to be solved while ensuring that the society as a whole is engaged, and that the different aspects of the society are incorporated into the program. There can be policies that can be adopted that deal with partial prohibition, rehabilitation programs, etc. Aim: The aim in this paper is to research the attitude of the young generation on the use of the drugs, specifically focusing on the abuse of cannabis and how the use of it is acceptable, and even considered necessary for social acceptance among the peers ion the age groups between 18 and 25. (Buckmaster L and Thomas M 2006-2007) The paper will also look at the opinion of this age group as to the legalization of the use of this in society. It shall also observe if there exists any relationship between the use of cannabis and gender as well as tobacco smoking. Methodology: The study that was conducted was aimed at the age group of 18 to 25, where the study focused on the first year students. The study group focused on them, as they fit the requirements and there was a questionnaire was prepared on the basis of which they were questioned and there was a conclusion that was reached on the basis of these observations that were made and the data and information that was created. (Health and Nursing Issues Australia 2008). The researchers used the system of non-probability sampling. The system allowed for the use of prepaid envelopes and this allowed the participants to answer the questionnaire in an anonymous fashion. The study also has been able to gather information on the basis of letters, questionnaires, and also has gathered information with the help of the internet and online researches and communication. Results: The study that was conducted had a clear indication in the effects the social cultural set up of society that has effects on the use and abuse of the drug in the age group that is being observed in the study. The analysis that has been observed in through this study that was conducted showed that there has been a clear linkage that has existed between gender and use of the drug. Also the factor of the use of tobacco in one’s life has also had significant impact on the use of cannabis among the young. (Dana) There has also been observed clear linkages between the peer groups and the use of the drug, especially in the young generation and the age groups of 18 and 21. The study that was conducted surveyed a total of 76 students. This is a certain drawback as the total amount of students is much higher. The probability level that has been set by the researchers is 0.05. The study that was conducted showed that almost 47% of the male population had used cannabis, while only 29 % of the female population had used the drug. (C Collegian) This shows a clear linkage that exists between gender and use if the drug, where it is seen that the use of the drug is almost double in men as compared to the female population. Another observation that is worth noting is that almost the same percentage of people, both in the male and female sections of the population who smoke are also in the habit of drug abuse. It is only slightly low in the case of females, around 31 percent, while in the men it is around 32.9 %. Thus, there is no such case that those who smoke are more likely to be also doing drug abuse. The study has not gathered sufficient amount of information or collected enough data as in relation to the effect that peer pressure has on the cases of drug abuse. But there have been other studies that have been conducted by other groups that show that peer group has a huge effect on the increase in the drug abuse in the population. It has been observed that the peer pressure is what has lead to around 40 % to take up use of cannabis as most of all the peers of the age group are doing it, and this helps in creating the semblance of being a part of a group and of belonging. The final observation that was made by the study is as to how people believe the changes in the legislation will affect the changes in the attitude in the abuse of drugs in the nation. It has been observed that there are very few that believe that changes in the legislation will have a very serious impact on the cases of drug abuse in the nation, while it has been observed that there many, that is almost 49 % are of the belief that the changes in the legislation will affect the incidences of drug abuse in the nation, but there are also a number, albeit in minority who are of the belief that changes that will be made in the legislature of the country will have little or no effect on the cases and incidences of drug abuse in the nation. Conclusion: In conclusion, it can be said that there have been observed that there have been change sin the system that have existed in the country that deals with the growing problem of drug abuse that threatens the Australian society. (Williams J 2007) There has been observed that there have been changes made in the legislative system that has grown and evolved during the past half century or so to accommodate the growing needs of the nation,. And there are specific international influences that factor these changes in the policy making of the nation. Today there is a growing need for more strict policies to deal with drug trafficking and drug abuse. This has to be done both at the national as well as the international level. There also has to in place better rehabilitation policies, and there has been in place better educational and awareness programs that deals with these growing social issues and problems. Reference: Commonwealth of Australia 1994: Legislative options for cannabis use in Australia, Monograph no. 26. Health and Nursing Issues Australia 2008: Cannabis ‘bigger cancer risk’ than smoking, pub Jan 30, 2008, accessed on Monday, 24 August 2009 at http://agedcareact.wordpress.com/2008/01/30/cannabis-bigger-cancer-risk-than-cigarettes/. Mental Nursing Homes: Article; Admissions caused by cannabis increase, accessed on Monday, 24 August 2009 at http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-1306591221.html. Dana: National Cannabis e-zine; Pub on December 31st 2007. C Collegian: Journal of the Royal College of Nursing Australia, Vol 9, Issue 2. UNSW: Drug Policy Modelling Program, accessed on Monday, 24 August 2009 at http://www.dpmp.unsw.edu.au/DPMPWeb.nsf/page/Translating%20Evidence. Buckmaster L and Thomas M 2006-2007, accessed on Monday, 24 August 2009 at http://www.aph.gov.au/library/Pubs/rn/2006-07/07rn21.htm. Lenton, Simon and Ovenden, Claudia, "Community Attitudes to Cannabis use in Western Australia: Part 1." Journal of Drug Issues. 1996; 26(4): pp. 783-804, accessed on Monday, 24 August 2009 at http://www.drugpolicy.org/library/community_attitudes.cfm. Williams J 2007: Cannabis use and educational attainment, accessed on Monday, 24 August 2009 at http://www.voxeu.org/index.php?q=node/546. Read More