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The Mounting Evidence: Cannabis May Increase the Risk for Schizophrenia in the Developing Mind

Aritlce from the March 2013 Drug Abuse Recognition Journal:

The evidence is unquestionable and no longer susceptible to criticism as being politically motivated; cannabis use in adolescence is a dangerous proposition. Mounting evidence is clear on that point. The effect of smoking marijuana on the developing brain is fraught with serious impact. Unfortunately little is said about it, especially in mainstream reporting circles. A recently published report in the Journal of Translational Psychiatry sheds light on the role that cannabis plays in increasing the risk for schizophrenia in the developing brain.[1] In the report, adolescent and adult mice each received injections of synthetic cannabinoid agonist drugs, substances designed to activate the CB1 cannabinoid receptor in the brain. Several months later, the same mice were subjected to a battery of behavioral testing. At that time, scientists examined those parts of the rat brain that are typically impacted by cannabinoid activity, an area that is directly wired to a rodent's process of fear conditioning. The evidence is pretty bleak. The findings paint a very discouraging picture of the long-term effects that marijuana smoking has on the teenage brain.   In examination of the adolescent rodent brains that were exposed to THC, there were obvious abnormalities in fear conditioning and prepulse inhibition; both are phenomenons that are found to be skewed in cases where there are diagnoses of schizophrenia. Other measurements of psychological function did not differ much. In postmortem examinations, hippocampus cells exposed to cannabinoid activity showed degraded expression of glutamate receptors. Glutamate is critical to proper functioning of fear conditioning pathways-more evidence of brain injury.   With the political developments stemming from the most recent election season, readers should take pause as to the direction that marijuana legalization seems to be taking nationally. The Obama administration has done very little so far to signal the U.S. government's position one way or another on these developments. The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) has been mostly silent. The expansion of medical marijuana activism in America is a potentially dire warning of what will be perhaps a national move to decriminalize marijuana in the near future. With the budget "sequester" as a foghorn warning of looming government bankruptcy, where else can the political class turn to find new means of funding both important and pet programs? Legalized and taxed marijuana is an obvious cash cow. Ironically, the inexorable move toward marijuana legalization is occurring in the face of growing, incontrovertible evidence of marijuana's threat to the brains of developing boys and girls. Notwithstanding the growing body of evidence that now associates cannabis use with exacerbations of psychiat  ric conditions, especially in young and middle aged adults, it is discouraging that marijuana activism is met with silence by the mainstream media.     Making matters worse is the emergence and explosive growth of K2/Spice designer drug abuse. Synthetic cannabinoids now plug any hole that organic THC left in the broader drug user marketplace. Both forms of THC (organic and synthetic) are threats to the well-being and psychiatric health of children and adults. Moreover, medical professionals, substance abuse counselors, and therapists must be sensitive to the signs and symptoms of cannabinoid abuse in their patients and clients nowadays. In the years to come, cannabis abuse by Americans will likely climb. Let's hope that we produce sufficient scores of treatment professionals to deal with the problems that are sure to come. [1] Gleason KA et al. Susceptibility of the adolescent brains to cannabinoids. Long-term hippocampal effects and relevance to schizophrenia. Translational Psychiatry 2012 Nov 27; 2:e199.

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Argus Luncheon - November 16th

Initiative 502 - Impacts to the Workplace fro Saving our Society from Drugs

SOURCE: Saving our Society Weed in the Washington Workplace

Initiative 502 seeks to legalize the cultivation, sale, distribution and possession of marijuana.  How will this affect the workplace?

Marijuana activists would argue that Initiative 502 allows employers to have policies that prohibit intoxication and use of marijuana in the workplace.  In fact, it does nothing to protect employers from employees who use marijuana off the clock. Even more disturbing, Initiative 502 could allow employees who are terminated for testing positive for marijuana to sue for wrongful termination.
Initiative 502 would be a disaster for employers and poses a significant threat to the safety of all employees.

Consider the following:

Studies indicate that impairment caused by marijuana can persist as long as 24 hours after smoking a joint - even though the user may no longer be aware that they are still impaired.
Marijuana impairs the ability to learn and remember, and users are more likely to have a decline of intellectual, workplace and social skills.
A study from the United States Department of Health & Human Services, National Institutes of Health, revealed that employees testing positive for marijuana had 55% more accidents, 85% more injuries and a 75% increase in absenteeism than employees who did not test positive.
    
Initiative 502 would put Washington businesses at odds with policies outlined in the Drug-Free Workplace Act. This would have a significant impact on employers with government contracts whose compliance requires that they maintain a drug-free environment. Future government grants and contracts would likely go to businesses in states that have not legalized marijuana.

Initiative 502 is Wrong for Washington! 

For more information on drug policy, or to become a member of Save Our Society from Drugs, please visit saveoursociety.org

Culture & Compassion: Unity in our Community

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Youth United: Varsity in Volunteerism WORKSHOP

Several community agencies are partnering to develop an innovative, pilot project where students can receive a varsity letter for volunteerism at Sedro-Woolley High School. To start-up the project, United General Hospital's Community Health Outreach Programs received a Venture Grant from the United Way of Skagit County as well as recruited additional agencies that have committed staff time towards the development, implementation and evaluation of the Youth United: Varsity in Volunteerism Project.

The goal of the Youth United project is to recognize and reward students for their volunteer efforts in the community as well as provide workforce skills development trainings. Studies show youth participation in and recognition for community pro-social activities can decrease the likelihood of teen substance abuse, delinquency, violence and school dropout. The project aims to provide youth with community service or volunteer project opportunities. To receive a varsity letter, students will have to complete a minimum of 100 hours of service in their schools and at community agencies. To ensure the needs of youth and volunteer agencies are met, trainings will be provided to the youth about the fundamentals of volunteering.

An essential component of this project is the involvement of businesses and organizations to provide a broad range of service projects and volunteer opportunities for high school youth.

Interested in providing volunteer opportunities for youth or would like to receive training on utilizing youth volunteers, please join us:

Date: February 2, 2012 (Thursday) from 11:00 -1:00

Costs:           Free and Lunch is provided

Where:         Sedro-Woolley School District Support Services Building

REGISTER HERE

Workshop Outcomes:

·        Tools on how to ensure a successful experience when utilizing youth volunteers

·        Outline youth volunteer roles and expectations with the Varsity Letter in Volunteerism Project

**If you are unable to attend the workshop and would still like to host a volunteer, please contact Lisa Mitchell 360.856.7388.

Thank you for your consideration in providing a volunteer opportunity for the youth in our community!