Risks of cannabis to mental health should not be considered a minor problem

Peter Reynolds puts the case for legalising cannabis by downplaying the risks of mental health problems (Letters, 21 March). Many people share his views, but those who are left to deal with the often devastating effects of cannabis use on vulnerable young people see things in a different light. Many people can smoke cannabis without serious risk, but it can cause devastation to those who have risk factors predisposing them to mental illness. Unfortunately, a cannabis-induced psychosis may be the first indication of a person’s vulnerability.

I worked for 20 years as a psychiatric nurse and witnessed a steady rise in the admission of patients with drug-induced psychiatric disorders. I know from talking to former colleagues who are still working in the acute adult psychiatry sector how huge a problem this has become.

Psychiatrists estimate that, in some areas, cannabis accounts for 80 per cent of admissions to psychiatric units for people presenting with a first episode of psychosis. This represents a problem of epidemic proportions, and cannot be dismissed as something that just happens to others. The Royal College of Psychiatrists make the explicit claim that research shows a clear link between early cannabis use and later mental health problems in vulnerable adolescents.

Young people who start their drug experiments with cannabis often move on to more overtly dangerous drugs, like heroin – and hospital admission doesn’t prevent them acquiring and using these illicit substances. This results in a disproportionate amount of time and input from nursing and medical staff being diverted away from other patients to deal with aggressive and antisocial behaviour, or to prevent the user from harming him or herself. CAROLYN TAYLOR

Wellbank Broughty Ferry, Dundee