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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0639.027 2008-2010Jame) F Wasan, Ph.D. CSAC, SAP P 0. Box 383401 Waikoloa, Hawaii 98738 Phone: 808-89.0444 Fax: 808 883 -8687 Fat 808 - 96912 Phone: 808- 934 -3310 • Comments, Mahalo al F asaU n Pfi SAC. SAP COMM. &so/ To: Hawaii County Council Testimony From: Jamal F Wasan, PhD, CSAC, SAP Pager 3(Induding this coversheet). Date: 1/20/2010 Re: Resolution 281 -09 CC* [Click here and type name) 0 Urgent X For Review 0 Please Comment Please Reply Ll Please Recycle 0 CCU L, Con W4r Ref. Toi Y Ref. Dote ,JAN 2 2 2010 C.) 0 -c I am Jamal F Wasan, Ph.D and have worked in the field of substance abuse_kr over 30- years. My Qualification are; Masters in Clinical Psychology, Doctorate in Health Psychology, Hawaii Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC), p3 Department of Transportation Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) :4) I do not support the legalization of Cannabis My main argument against legalizing cannabis is that it will encourage non users to experiment with the drug. This could trigger an addiction to the substance just as with alcohol and illicit drugs. In which the addiction begins process with experimentation, progress to seeking the mood swing (effect), preoccupation with using the drug and then harmful dependence. In which an individual continues use ignoring the negative consequences An individual who does not experiment will obviously not progress through these addictions stages. However, legalization could lead individuals who have avoided experimenting with cannabis because of the legal ramifications to by it and some of these individuals statistically will become addicted. Substance Abuse Alcohol is legal for anyone over the age of 21 in Hawaii, yet alcohol related accidents are the leading death among young people. A mainland news paper the Boston Globe reported Sept. 3 2007, that 52 percent of Hawaiian traffic deaths were alcohol - related, the highest rate in the country. Eighty -four of the 161 people who died on Hawaiian roads last year were killed in incidents where a driver, pedestrian, or cyclist was under the influence of alcohol. In 39 percent of all fatal traffic crashes in Hawaii, the driver was legally drunk. Driving under the influence of alcohol continues to result in needless deaths. In an HBO special on addiction there is a segment on a Dallas Emergency Room physician speaking on the large number of alcohol and drug victims they treat nightly. Interestingly the only death shown during the segment wasof a motorcycle rider who bleed out on the table after crashing his bike. His toxicology screen showed; only THC. The twenty year old died because he was under the influence of cannabis while riding his motorcycle. Legalize cannabis and just as individual's abuse alcohol and drive, this will also occur with the legalization of cannabis. In fact Big Island Substance Abuse Treatment Programs have treated individuals charged with Operating a Vehicle under the influence (OVUII) of cannabis. Of even greater concern is the combination of drinking alcohol and smoking cannabis, (this is not uncommon in Hawaii), which results in a synergistic affect and increases the interaction of both. Even at low doses the combination of alcohol and cannabis is dangerous, because they both affect the Central Nervous System (CNS), resulting in slow reaction and poor coordination. c _ ft rV r 3 eTh 3 s I have seen a bumper sticker "Green Harvest created the Methamphetamine Problem." That is false, the rampant uses of cannabis lead to individuals becoming addicted and once that substance became limited they did what all addicted individuals do; switched to another available drug, The term used in the literature is "Cross Addiction.' Once you are addicted to one substance you are subject to addiction to another substance This is called euphoric recall the desire for instantaneous gratification, without effort, which is a learned process. The individual begins to seek the mood swing through chemical use; I don't need to solve the problem I just forget it by getting high or stoned. It is very frustrating to watch bright adolescent grades begin to fall and their mood become lackadaisical because of their cannabis use, which is why it is call the anti- motivational drug. At the other end you see the irritation as they begin to withdraw from the drugs effect and have difficulty shifting back into daily reality. The bottom tine is that we already have a problem with substance abuse in Hawaii; alcoholisms and illicit drug use Why would we want to add to that problem, by making it legal to get stoned!