The Nunavik worried about the legalisation of cannabis

Kathryne Lamontagne

Thursday, 7 December 2017 17:22

UPDATE
Thursday, 7 December 2017 17:24

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The issues related to the consumption of cannabis in Nunavik may well “get worse” with the legalization, is afraid of the Makivik corporation, which demand additional resources to make the prevention to this effect.

The rate of cannabis use in Nunavik is highest in Quebec and nearly four times that of Canada ruled Thursday Sarah Aloupa, in the parliamentary committee on bill 157 aimed at regulating the use of cannabis.

The black market is present, the ease of access to cannabis is high. Young people are initiated at the age of 11 years to this substance, the consumption of which can become prevalent among 12-13 years old, laments the one that is a member of the executive of the school Board in Nunavik.

False perceptions

Cannabis is not perceived as being “bad”, she explains, adding that some young people consider it to be even more safe than alcohol. The legalization could strengthen this perception, lamented the fact that the Makivik corporation. The young may believe, erroneously, that the substance does not cause health problem.

Attitudes must change, both among young people than their parents, supports the group. Cannabis can be linked to emotional problems, depression or suicidal thoughts in those who consume it for a year, in advance Françoise Bouchard, director of public health in Nunavik, in addition to having an impact on the stall, already high in the region.

No means

In Nunavik, however, did not have the means to develop education campaigns, prevention and / or treatment in the 14 communities of the territory, which accounts for one-third of the area of Québec, ” continues Ms. Bouchard. The service centres are currently in place are “clearly inadequate,” she advocates.

Bill 157 provides$ 25 Million per year over 5 years for the prevention. The College of social workers and marriage and family therapists of Quebec proposed earlier in the day that the whole of the profits generated by the sale of cannabis be re-invested in prevention.

The minister for social Services, Lucie Charlebois, who driver this folder, indicated that approximately half of the profits would pay the debt and the operating expenses of the québec Society of cannabis, and that the rest would go to prevention.