Don’t Mess with His Creation!
I noted the result of a survey of people convicted for dangerous driving on the Central Coast. Of more than 4000 convictions, the majority of young dangerous drivers were driving under the influence of cannabis – marijuana – not alcohol.
We know that cannabis is the drug of choice for many young people, but those who smoke dope are six and a half times more likely to cause serious traffic accidents than those who do not. Some Christian youth are influenced by friends to smoke marijuana. They do not realise that marijuana is more dangerous than alcohol and nicotine combined.
The most recent research by the University of Maastricht in Holland, which was led by Professor Jim van Os, of more than 4,045 persons from 1997 to 1999 shows that people who smoke marijuana are nearly three times more likely to develop a psychotic disorder, such as hallucinations, paranoia, manic depression or schizophrenia.
There is an undeniable link between cannabis use and a variety of mental problems. Clearly, social dysfunction problems are being increasingly established. Indeed, the challenge faced by all responsible public policy bodies—including State, Federal and local government and the community—is to ensure that those most at risk of becoming habitual or regular users of cannabis are aware of those risks.
From twenty-seven years as Superintendent of Wesley Mission over-sighting two mental hospitals and half a dozen counseling and drug rehabilitation services, I can tell you from my own experience of speaking to patients with severe schizophrenia and other mental health conditions, that by far the majority report that they used cannabis prior to developing their mental condition. While people can be rehabilitated from regularly using cannabis, there are no known cures for schizophrenia and some of the other mental health conditions.
The Government must do more to warn the community about the mental health consequences that effect so many users of cannabis, and speak out against the pressure groups who push a soft approach. And we have to be prepared to honestly engage users about the harm they may be doing to themselves and certainly, by example, to other people.
Christians know that God has given them a body to be the temple of the Holy Spirit – in other words – God has made us good and we should not mess in His creation by the use of harmful drugs or by over-eating or neglecting exercise nor anything else that damages His creation – you!
Rev. The Hon. Dr Gordon Moyes, A.C., M.L.C.