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Ganja and Crime
Jamaica Gleaner | 11/27/2005

The scientific debate in Jamaica about the dangers of marijuana use is often obfuscated by a subtle cultural bias based in part on a support of Rastafarians who claim that the herb is a sacramental part of their religious practice, but also by years of its use in folk medicine.

Now comes Dr. Winston De La Haye, director of the detoxification unit at the University Hospital of the West Indies and president of the Psychiatry Association of Jamaica, who believes that the use of ganja may well be a major contributing cause to the level of crime and violence in the society.

Dr. De La Haye points out that marijuana contains tetrahydro cannabinol which has been proven to exacerbate aggressive behaviour. (BuzzNote: ) If this is so, and given the wide use of ganja in Jamaica, the doctor's warning certainly deserves serious consideration and further objective assessment.

He contends that the drug can drive a person mad and, with understandable prudence, asks: Why take a chance?

We note that Professor Fred Hickling, another respected expert, while not disagreeing with Dr. De La Haye's bottom line warning about the dangers of using the drug, defuses the argument by listing a number of other social causes of violence such as poverty and despair, a position that can readily be conceded without in any way detracting from what might be a significant breakthrough in lessening the degree of violence in Jamaica.

Other causes of violence there may well be, but if smoking ganja is like throwing gasolene on smouldering coals, the unequivocal condemnation of its use may be worth trying, backed up with a strong public education campaign to bring home to the populace, especially the youngsters, that by smoking ganja, they may be playing with fire in more ways than one.

This suggestion runs counter to the present popular attitude that the use of ganja should be decriminalised, supported by the recommendations of the National Commission on Ganja which was set up in November 2000.

But in light of Dr. De La Haye's pronouncement, a renewed debate about marijuana use would seem to be in order, one that is non-emotional and focused, not on the general question of whether marijuana is good or bad, but whether it is indeed a contributory cause to violent behaviour.

Certainly there has developed in Jamaica an almost knee-jerk violent reaction to 'dissing' or other relatively minor provocations which needs some explanation. Dr. De La Haye has provided one such possible reason and we think his warning should be heeded.

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troublemaker_42

While i'm not going to pretend I'm an expert on jamaica or its social climate after spending all of 7 days there, I can say that ganja hs little to nothing to do with the rash of violence in Jamaica. yes, a large number of Jamaicans smoke herb....about 80% from one Jamaicain's estimate that i talked to, and, after some observation, I found this very likely to be true. However, just because there is a prevalence of ganja smokers does not mean that ganja has anything to do with the crime problem. Jamaica has many problems that contribute to the violence that has reached record porportions. Political tensions, where its hard to tell the gangsters from the politicans (many times one and the same) is certainly a factor. lack of true opprotunity is yet another. Homelessless and unemployment are extremely prevalent in Jamaica. there simply aren't jobs for many people. If you can't make your way in tourism areas, there isn't a whole lot left. Agriculture is common, but the prices paid for the produce is low, making it very hard to ever turn a profit. Education is lacking, adding to the lack of quality jobs available. Finally, substance abuse IS an issue in Jamaica. However, its not ganja that is the primary problem. Alcoholism is somewhat common, as is the use and availbility of hard drugs like cocaine/crack. Jamaica is a major port for illegal drugs, serving aas a dropoff point between S. America and the US. This leads to an abundance of dangerous drugs available at cheap prices. Crack addiction is a very large porblem in Jamaica, with a disporportionate amount of users where compared to other places. As a tourist, I was offered cocaine several times, leading me to believe reports of its widespread availability. All of these factors add to the crime problem in Jamaica. Its my personal belief that they have far bigger problems that a few people smoking ganja. When they want to quit playing the 'blame game" it won't take long to see where the real problems lie