Cannabis Advert Campaign Warns Of Dangers

An advertising campaign that warns of the links between the use of cannabis and mental health damage to teenagers has been launched today.

A new hard-hitting TV, radio and online FRANK advertising campaign that highlights the drug's side-effects - memory loss, panic attacks and paranoia - was unveiled by the Department of Health.

The campaign shows that using cannabis can quickly flip from being a talkative and relaxed experience to turning nasty and users becoming paranoid, having panic attacks and being sick.

The £2.2 million Home Office, which follows the reclassification of cannabis into Class B, last month, is targeted at 11-18 year olds.

It urges youngsters curious about the drug to "Talk to Frank" by calling an information line or visiting a website.

Frank spokesperson Chris Hudson said: "Cannabis is the most commonly used illegal drug in Britain and 'binge smoking' to achieve maximum effect may be putting peoples' mental health in serious danger.

"There is evidence of a link between cannabis and mental health problems such as schizophrenia, and those who first use it at an early age may be more at risk."

New penalties for users of the drug were introduced when cannabis was reclassified. Anyone caught in possession is now given a warning, followed by a fine and prosecution for a third offence.

Dealers can be jailed for up to 14 years.

Marjorie Wallace, chief executive of mental health charity Sane, welcomed the campaign, and said: "This is a victory for the campaigning of Sane and other organisations who have for years been warning about the direct effects of cannabis in damaging the minds of young people, particularly if they take skunk and smoke from an early age.

"We need hard-hitting campaigns like this to convince people just how frightening the effects of cannabis can be, and that for those who are vulnerable, taking it may not be just chilling out for an evening but could mean robbing themselves of their chances in life."

(JM/KMcA)