In Hot Press 39-10, we publish details of the Global Drugs Survey – and what the answers tell us about Illegal Drug Consumption in Ireland. On hotpress.com over the next few weeks, we’ll continue to bring you extended coverage and data from the Survey, as an essential companion piece to the main articles in Hot Press.
As revealed in the latest issue of Hot Press, the findings of the Global Drug Survey 2015 have helped to produce the world's first ever Safer Use Limits Guidelines for Cannabis.
Available as a free app and at [link]saferuselimits.co[/link], the guide "has been created to help people use cannabis more safely and better understand the relationship between how much cannabis they use and the risks they expose themselves to. The app was designed on the same principles as the government's alcohol guidelines. The advice and ratings are based on the experiences of the hundreds of thousands of people who take part the world’s biggest drug survey the annual Global Drug Survey (GDS).
The app asks users their quantity and frequency of use, before assigning them into a risk category from very low to very high. The guide then advises users of the risks associated with their usage and how they can decrease their risk.
"However, according to the latest GDS data, many cannabis users are not currently keeping their usage within such guidelines. 1% of cannabis users had sought emergency medical treatment in the last 12 months, compared to 1.2% of users for alcohol.
"Over a third reported using cannabis more than 100 times a year putting them at least risk of moderate harms with potential impacts upon memory, mood, lung health, mental health and motivation.
"5% of users reported using cannabis every day, putting them at very high risk of dependence, withdrawal, negative impact on interpersonal relationships, aging and motivation.
"Such figures prove guidelines designed to inform and educate using peer expertise are needed more than ever. The guidelines on cannabis will be followed in the coming months by safer limits on MDMA, alcohol, cocaine and ketamine."
Dr. Adam Winstock, the Consultant Psychiatric & Addiction Medicine Specialist who created the Global Drug Survey, adds: "The Global Drug Survey states categorically that the only way to avoid all harm from drug use is to not use them whatsoever. However, it’s not a very practical goal for people who like to indulge in drugs.
“The reality is that the risks of experiencing harm from using drugs can actually be massively reduced for most people with the right set of advice.
“We’ve spent the past few years looking at the data from drug users around the world in an effort to settle on what that advice should be."
Former government advisor Professor David Nutt comments:
“More great stuff from Global Drug Survey. Their Safer Use Limits Guidelines for Cannabis is fantastic. Balanced, funny and evidence based. Well done!”
For in depth coverage , analysis and comment of Ireland’s answers in the Global Drugs Survey and “everything you need to know about drugs”, buy the new issue of Hot Press (39-10 with Nutini/Florence on the cover). It’s out now, nationwide @ €3.50