Not funny either
I spent the early years of my life growing up firstly in Inverness, then Glasgow. My parents closest friends there were a lovely couple, Jill and Michael. Wonderful, intelligent people, one a doctor and the other a children's author. They seemed to have everything, a fantastic house, loving friends and family, and were just genuinely amazing people.

I'm one of three sons, and Jill and Michael also had three sons, with each being born at around a similar time to the others. We all spent a considerable amount of time together growing up.

We moved to Manchester when I was around 5 or 6, and the families only saw each other once or twice a year. We usually went back up to Scotland for our summer holidays.

When I was around 15 Jill and Michael's eldest son, Harold, had developed a bit of a drug problem. Starting with cannabis, he was now dependant on it to get through the day. My elder brother had a similar problem, and was showing signs of it.

Harold's problems quickly worsened, and he was arrested for possesion of much more serious drugs, was becoming increasingly violent towards his parents and spent a short time in prison.

My brother was also experimenting with harder drugs and battling depression, whilst keeping up a serious cannabis habit.

The last time my mum saw Jill and Michael, they expressed their worries over their son's use of cannabis, he was experiencing psychotic episodes and in a generally unstable state. He'd been kicked out of the family home for attacking each of them and was unable to function without cannabis.

Harold killed himself a few years ago, shortly after leaving prison. His parents both believe his mental state was largely brought on by his dependance on this 'harmless' drug. My brother continues to be a heavy user, and has struggled with depression since his teens, and his life has never been 'normal'.

My mother's biggest worry is that he'll try something similar, although he's never expressed a desire to.
(gin'll fix it, Fri 19 Dec 2008, 12:46, 9 replies)

I'm amazed
by how may people I know or know of who have mental problems through the use of Cannabis. People really piss me of when they try to justify it. If people want to use it, that's fine, it's their choice at the end of the day, but don't try to tell me it's harmless or less harmful than cigarettes or alcohol. Everything is dangerous when abused.

I hope your bro has some success fighting it.
(Strangechap I look normal on the outside..., Fri 19 Dec 2008, 12:54, closed)

Agree
The number of people we have coming through with drug induced psychosis is awful. A lot of young (16+) ones too. And you just KNOW its the Canabis that triggered/exacerbated the problem. Thats not including the social/legal/family problems. I get quuite angry on here when people start bragging about how much weed they've done. Maybe they should consider themseleves lucky.

moralising rant mode over.
(kitescreech still here, Fri 19 Dec 2008, 13:19, closed)

Skunk
I do wonder if skunk has a lot to do with it.

I've noticed that since skunk started becoming very popular (mid 90's when it came to my attention) most people I know that smoke have become a lot more useless (and sociophobic) in general when they were smoking skunk in preference to hash.

I had to pack it in, the effect of skunk was just too debilitating so I just didn't bother with any of it any more.

Are the mental health issues due to the higher strength of what's about, or is the reporting getting better, or is it just that more people are smoking so therefore there are going to be more cases of people having problems with it?
(JohabMorelli is spenging merrily away, Fri 19 Dec 2008, 13:37, closed)

There's absolutely no evidence for any sort of causal link though.
But it can act as a trigger for those already predisposed to psychotic-type mental disorders.

FWIW I had my first psychotic episode before I started smoking, and have smoked skunk more or less every day for about 8 years with no ill effects... (well, not ones caused by the skunk anyway!)

People differ though, and if it plays with your head in that way you shouldn't be smoking it. Abusing anything can fuck you up.
(Son of Sam-i-am We're all as mad as hatters here, Fri 19 Dec 2008, 13:58, closed)

My cousin started off smoking weed at 15 or so
To cope with his parents getting divorced (my other cousin resorted to comfort-eating). 6 years later, he'd been arrested numerous times, had faked a burglary at his mother's house so he could sell the TV/DVD/Microwave etc. He'd got into college, but dropped out and became a drug dealer. Earlier this year, he tried committing suicide, for the 3rd time. It was the closest he's ever got to succeeding. He's now in a secure ward at a hospital near his home, and is unlikely to be discharged for quite a while. As far as I'm aware, he only ever concentrated on weed and skunk. He might have dabbled in other drugs, but I think it is mostly the weed that's led to him having a few severe breakdowns.
(The Empress it seems you CAN polish a turd!, Fri 19 Dec 2008, 13:40, closed)

Yeah
but was the other cousin really fat?
(LickOutTheJamsMotherfuckers!, Wed 24 Dec 2008, 2:29, closed)

Everything is dangerous when abused
Hit the nail right on the head.
(Stringy, Fri 19 Dec 2008, 13:41, closed)

I know a guy
who smoked a joint and years later joined a terrorist cell. I blame the weed.

Seriousley, if you kick the arse out of any substance it will mess you up, simple.

If you want to play with the big boys and girls you have to be responsible for your own actions and deal with the consequences, learn modoration or atleast what you can handle.

When at a festival and observing the one idiot that has taken far too much and has ended up dying you dont chastise the whole festival do you?

No because its their own fault, simple

And i speak as someone with a viciously addictive personality so know what im talking about....right im off for a fag.

Also i apologise for the poor spelling, think its the dope thats done it.
(sparklehorse is loving popping his cherry...again....honest, Fri 19 Dec 2008, 17:21, closed)

Very sad story.
I suppose the question I want to ask is:-
What caused them to obsessively smoke/take anything to excess?
People like to blame drugs but it is the person who takes them.
Alcohol is physically and psychologically addictive and can cause mental health problems, this does not mean that everyone with access to an off-licence will become an alcoholic.
Being in prison won't help (unless macho brutality is what you need).
( FeralCatMan Unusual disease collector., Sat 20 Dec 2008, 19:10, closed)