said Pope François on 7th May 2014 when he received members of the Italian community “San Patrignano”, a non fee charging centre for withdrawal and rehabilitation, and their families.
"40 to 50% of pupils who repeat 8th or 9th grade do so because of having used cannabis the previous year." "Let us not forget either that cannabis and alcohol used together are very damaging."
"Amongst the perils that threaten youth and the entire society today, drugs are in the first place, which is more dangerous as it is less visible ...They spread like an oil stain, they slowly stretch their tentacles from the major cities to the smaller centers, from the richest and most industrialized countries to the Third World."
"A rat which is given cannabis will start drinking alcohol, whereas without cannabis, he will not drink."
"I consider that parents are able to educate their children. [...] Any one is able, most of time, to take responsibility for a child.[...]Parents call upon psychologists for years and pay a lot of money, whereas they usually have the ability within themselves to help their children. I often say to parents: "You have everything in your hands, just look for it. But simply take the time to look at your child."
"Adolescence is a "season in hell" in itself. It is the age of doubt, of self-deprecation, of anxiety, but also the age of authenticity, of the absolute. What is normal is the exaggeration of behavior, of words, of feelings, the outbursts of joy and sadness. The teenager is very susceptible and sensitive to how others perceive him and what they say about him, especially his friends."
"If there was a government that was interested in corrupting its citizens, it would only have to encourage the use of hashish ... hashish belongs to the class of solitary joy, it is for the miserable idler ... You are incapable of work and lack energy for action .. You throw your personality to the four winds of heaven and now you are unable to reassemble and concentrate them ... Hashish is a weapon for suicide".
"Balzac thought, without doubt, that there was no bigger shame nor suffering in life for man than the abdication of his will. I saw him one time at a meeting where there was a question on the prodigious effects of hashish. He listened and questioned with an amusing attention and vivacity ... The way of thinking shocked him greatly, inspite of himself. He was presented with dawamesk, he examined it, smelled it and returned it without touching it. The struggle between his almost childish curiosity and his repugnance at the abdication betrayed itself on his expressive face in a striking manner. The love of dignity prevailed."
In 1968, it contained from 0,6 to 6% of THC – TetraHydroCannabinol - principal active substance. In recent years through genetic modifications, hybrids and greenhouse cultures, it can contain up to 35% of THC. Nowadays, cannabis consumed by teenagers does not have anything in common with what their parents knew. For more information about cannabis see “Technical Information” section.
No parent would lend his car to his child knowing he/she has not learnt to drive. It would also be unconscionable to let one’s teenager go out without having taught him/her what drugs are. Nowadays availability of these products is such that youth can procure them in all the places they frequent – educational establishments, parties, class dinners, rallies, sport clubs... Parents must inform themselves objectively and scientifically about the products so to educate their children on drugs and provide them with the arguments to refuse them. Let us remember that drug addiction doesn’t just happen to others!
The half-life of an active substance is the time required by a healthy body, with no previous drug use, to eliminate 50% of the absorbed substance. In the case of cannabis, the half-life is 96 hours or 4 days. This means that within 4 days the body has eliminated 50% of the initial dose. 4 days later, there will be 25% of the product left… Within 28 days, cannabis will be totally eliminated from the body of a person who has not consumed it regularly. Traces of decayed THC may be found in a regular consumer’s body up to 40 days after the last take. According to Dr Chamayou’s thesis, 18 months are needed to be completely cleared of cannabis.
When you consume alcohol and cannabis simultaneously, these products mutually increase their effects. The current practice is to use alcohol and cannabis at the same time. Many young people nowadays use this common method to try to get “stoned”.
AEROSOLS Nitrous oxide and other pressurized gases such as those contained in whipped cream canisters or computer anti-dust sprays also have hallucinogenic effects. In a few seconds they produce excitement, dizziness, euphoria, loss of consciousness and affect the central nervous system through lack of oxygen. Moreover they are inhaled under pressure and can provoke lung frostbite and vocal chords injuries, (eg. immediately after taking this drug the voice becomes lower.)
POPPERS Volatile nitrites have similar effects to nitrous oxide. Moreover they can provoke panic attacks, heart palpitations and headaches. They are also responsible for deaths by anoxia. They are vasodilators frequently used to relax sphincter muscles. They are carcinogenic and provoke serious immune deficiencies – such as AIDS.
STAIN REMOVER Stain removers are derived from ethylene. They are hallucinogenic but their effect is more calming, unlike poppers and aerosols, which are more stimulating. They cause damage that is neurological (deafness, tremor) and intellectual (dementia).
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