More needing psychiatric care for cannabis use

The number of people seeking psychiatric care as a result of cannabis use has risen by 85 per cent since Labour came into power, figures have revealed.

Data obtained by shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley indicate that admissions to England's mental health hospitals due to cannabis increased from 510 in 1996/97 to 946 in 2005/06.

The figure is thought to be merely "the tip of the iceberg", as over two million people are believed to be regular users of the drug in England.

Professor Robin Murray, an expert at London's Institute of Psychiatry, said that cannabis-related psychiatric problems "have increased substantially".

"This might be down to better recognition, but I would say these figures are just the tip of the iceberg," he commented, noting that psychiatrists have only recently understood the importance of cannabis use.

A number of international studies have shown that cannabis use can double the risk of mental health problems such as schizophrenia.
   
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