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| Cannabis hospital admissions rise | Cannabis hospital admissions rise |
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| Mental health hospital admissions in England due to cannabis have risen by 85% under Labour, figures show. | Mental health hospital admissions in England due to cannabis have risen by 85% under Labour, figures show. |
| In 1996-7, there were 510 admissions, rising to 946 in 2005-6, data obtained by shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley revealed. | In 1996-7, there were 510 admissions, rising to 946 in 2005-6, data obtained by shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley revealed. |
| Over the last five years alone there was a 65% rise, with experts saying the figures were "the tip of the iceberg". | Over the last five years alone there was a 65% rise, with experts saying the figures were "the tip of the iceberg". |
| The government said it had been clear on cannabis - it was illegal and should not be used. | The government said it had been clear on cannabis - it was illegal and should not be used. |
| Cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug in the country with over 2m regular users. | Cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug in the country with over 2m regular users. |
| The figures obtained from Health Minister Rosie Winterton in a written House of Commons answer are for patients admitted to hospital in England because of a mental or behavioural disorder due to the use of cannabis. | The figures obtained from Health Minister Rosie Winterton in a written House of Commons answer are for patients admitted to hospital in England because of a mental or behavioural disorder due to the use of cannabis. |
| This might be down to better recognition, but I would say these figures are just the tip of the iceberg Professor Robin Murray of London's Institute of Psychiatry | This might be down to better recognition, but I would say these figures are just the tip of the iceberg Professor Robin Murray of London's Institute of Psychiatry |
| Admissions are not the same as patients, so one patient may have been admitted more than once. | Admissions are not the same as patients, so one patient may have been admitted more than once. |
| The figures include people with a chronic addiction to cannabis, people with an acute cannabis psychosis as well as those with cannabis-related schizophrenia. | The figures include people with a chronic addiction to cannabis, people with an acute cannabis psychosis as well as those with cannabis-related schizophrenia. |
| But experts say many more cases may be missed or diagnosed simply as a mental health disorder instead. | But experts say many more cases may be missed or diagnosed simply as a mental health disorder instead. |
| Professor Robin Murray, professor of psychiatry at London's Institute of Psychiatry and member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said: "There is no doubt that cannabis-related psychiatric problems have increased substantially. | Professor Robin Murray, professor of psychiatry at London's Institute of Psychiatry and member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said: "There is no doubt that cannabis-related psychiatric problems have increased substantially. |
| "This might be down to better recognition, but I would say these figures are just the tip of the iceberg. Its only more recently that psychiatrists have understood the importance of cannabis use." | "This might be down to better recognition, but I would say these figures are just the tip of the iceberg. Its only more recently that psychiatrists have understood the importance of cannabis use." |
| Calls | Calls |
| He said cannabis use was a contributing factor in up to 10% of schizophrenia cases, yet this was under-recognised. | He said cannabis use was a contributing factor in up to 10% of schizophrenia cases, yet this was under-recognised. |
| "There are probably 1,500 new cases of cannabis-related schizophrenia a year," he said. | "There are probably 1,500 new cases of cannabis-related schizophrenia a year," he said. |
| Paul Jenkins, chief executive of the Rethink mental health charity, said: "These figures show that there is an urgent need for a properly funded campaign to help young people realise cannabis use is risky." | Paul Jenkins, chief executive of the Rethink mental health charity, said: "These figures show that there is an urgent need for a properly funded campaign to help young people realise cannabis use is risky." |
| Marjorie Wallace, chief executive of the mental health charity SANE, said: "Psychiatrists have been telling us that 80% of patients admitted with theirfirst episode of psychosis have been taking the drug. | |
| "We strongly urge the government to heed the growing evidence and take urgent action to warn young people that some of them are risking lifelong mental illness - that they are playing Russian roulette with their minds." | |
| Mr Lansley added: "Awareness of the link between mental illness and cannabis has increased over recent years, as has the strength of the drug. | |
| "Both these factors have contributed to the sharp increase of hospital admissions on mental health grounds. | "Both these factors have contributed to the sharp increase of hospital admissions on mental health grounds. |
| "That's why the Conservatives have opposed the downgrading of cannabis and pledged to have it reclassified." | "That's why the Conservatives have opposed the downgrading of cannabis and pledged to have it reclassified." |
| At present, cannabis is a class C drug but there have been calls to move it back to class B. | At present, cannabis is a class C drug but there have been calls to move it back to class B. |
| A Department of Health spokeswoman said: "Our message is clear - cannabis is harmful, is an illegal drug and should not be taken. | A Department of Health spokeswoman said: "Our message is clear - cannabis is harmful, is an illegal drug and should not be taken. |
| "Our policy on cannabis is in line with the drugs strategy, with emphasis on enforcement, prevention, education, and treatment; evidence shows that cannabis use is falling across all age ranges." | "Our policy on cannabis is in line with the drugs strategy, with emphasis on enforcement, prevention, education, and treatment; evidence shows that cannabis use is falling across all age ranges." |