Working in a rehab center (New Muthaiga Hospital) has made me realise there is rampant drug abuse in Nairobi area. Students are most affected and yet parents are not aware of the drugs abused by these children
Susan Gitau
Nurse/Counselor

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CANNABIS SATIVA (Linnaeus) (Bhang)


NICKNAMES; Boza, Ndom, bhang, ganja, this in its crude form while marijuana also known as Mary Jane, Mary J. pot, tea, grass or weed refers to both plant and drug

Tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta-9 THC), which comes from the hemp plant Cannabis sativa, is the psychoactive agent in marijuana. marijuana is technically classified as a hallucinogen, but is essentially discussed in its own category because its effects are markedly different from those of other hallucinogens. There are many misconceptions about the effects of marijuana but, simply put, marijuana is a damaging and addictive drug. It is becoming one of the most popular drug for teenagers in this Kenya because it is as easy and sometimes easier to obtain than alcohol

After smoking marijuana, a user's brain is affected for four to six hours, even after the high wears off. Marijuana gives the user a distorted perception of reality; it also distorts the senses, affecting driving and other work abilities, and distorts the perception of time and space. It inhibits one's ability to follow a moving object. One's perception of lights and ability to recover from bright lights is impaired. This is especially important in driving at night. The driver is momentarily blind until his/her eyes are able to adjust. Accidents can occur in a split second. Perception of objects near the edge of the field of vision is impaired; the user experiences "tunnel vision" and cannot use his peripheral vision.

Marijuana use impairs judgment, coordination and decision making - all of which are needed for driving, walking, working. The marijuana user has a slow reaction time. The senses are dull and the user inattentive. He/she may move or speak more slowly.

Paranoia may occur. This is apparent when the user avoids family, concerned friends and supervisors, or becomes suspicious of co-workers. Anxiety and nervousness also can result from marijuana use. Emotional immaturity is common in a chronic user; indeed emotional development of a user stops when the drug use begins. This emotional immaturity is observable when the individual has difficulty interacting with others, blames others for problems, or complains frequently.

Motivational Syndrome - a lack of motivation and lack of desire to do anything - is a big problem for the marijuana user. Marijuana users as an "I don't care" attitude have described this. This person may miss deadlines, not complete work, do a poor job, get poor grades, skip school or quit a job. The only thing the user has a desire for is the continuing use of marijuana.

Marijuana contains over 400 chemicals. When it is burned, it produces over 2,000 chemicals. These include tar, steroids, fatty acids, toxins, carbon monoxide, ammonia, acetone and a variety of cancer causing agents. When the user smokes marijuana, he/she is putting these chemicals into his/her body - including ammonia and related chemicals often in household cleaners - and even acetone, found in nail polish remover.

There is a myth that marijuana is harmless and non-addictive due to the fact that it is a naturally grown "herb". This is not true.

Marijuana destroys lung tissue and cause cancer. One "joint" contains the equivalent cancer-causing chemicals of twenty cigarettes. Smoking marijuana also leads to bronchitis and emphysema. Marijuana also harms the immune system making the body less able to resist infection or diseases. This makes it easier to get cancer, bronchitis or emphysema. It also makes it easier for a disease to worsen such has bronchitis turning to pneumonia). marijuana can cause more problems for someone with HIV or AIDS. It also harms the reproductive system due to the storing of THC in fatty tissue. It affects the production of sex hormones and contributes to birth defects. It can increase heart rate 50% and increases the risk of heart attack.

Recent research has shown that marijuana doesn't kill brain cells, like alcohol, but instead coats or thickens brain cells, making them sluggish. The brain then causes a person stoned on marijuana to experience slow response time, poor memory, lack of judgment, and difficulty thinking clearly.

Marijuana (THC) is stored in the fat cells around the organs of the body. This causes damage to organs. The THC is not readily washed out of body. Studies have shown that it may remain in the brain of the chronic use for one or two and may contribute to brain damage. In high doses, THC causes hallucinations.

Belongs to the family of plants called Cannabacae. Originally from Asia now grows widely in the North temperate zones. Different varieties exist. In Asia for instance, Cannabis Sativa also known as Indian hemp, is a tall cane like plant grown for the production of fiber used in the manufacture of canvas. The female plant of this same variety which is branchier is prized for the production of cannabin a mildly hallucinogenic drug.

The variety grown in Kenya resembles a weed called Mexican marigold found growing in the cooler areas of Kenya. Unlike Mexican marigold, Cannabis has slightly broader leaves. The plant is also more branched and will grow taller than Mexican marigold.

Cannabis continues to be the leading illicit drug being cultivated and consumed in Kenya.

Hallucinogenic drug, ALKALOID substance that alters consciousness; also called psychotominetic, or popularly psychedelic or mind-expanding drug. These include mescaline, or PEYOTE; psilocin and psilocybin, from the mushrooms Psilocybe mexicana and Stropharia cubensis; LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide); BELLADONA; and MANDRAKE.

MARIJUANA has hallucinogenic properties but is pharmacologically distinct. Hallucinogens have been used for centuries by primitive societies in both the Old and New World to facilitate meditation, cure illness placate devil spirits, and enhance mystical and magical powers. They produce a wide range of effects, from pleasant to extremely disturbing, depending on dosage, potency and the personality and environment of the drug taker. Effects include altered perception of time and space and the colour, detail and the size of objects; also the experience of imaginary conversations, music, odours, tastes and other sensations. Hallucinogens are not physically habit forming, but tolerance- i.e.; the need to take increased quantities to induce the original effect-may develop.

Feelings of contentment and relaxation may be accompanied by loss of inhibition, bouts of laughter, continuos talking, increased sensitivity to audio and visual effects, increased sensitivity of touch, smell, taste and movement. Confusion, disorientation, recent memory loss, reduced attention span, lack of balance and stability, loss of muscle strength, shaking, anxiety, and paranoia may occur with higher dosages. Tremendous thirst or intense hunger may result.

What it does to your mind is distort the perception of reality, relaxes inhibitions, impairs short-term memory and comprehension, alters sense of time and decreases reaction time, reduces concentration and co-ordination. Causes inability to retain knowledge and difficulty handling complex tasks. This is very evident when you look at the figure 100. To count backwards in '10s' or '2's or '5's etc. is easy. But in '7's is tricky and for a person on marijuana impossible. Paranoia and psychosis may result.

Signs of use are a sweet smell on breath, hair, and clothes, giggling, euphoria, bloodshot eyes, coughing, paranoia or anxiety, dry mouth and throat, relaxation or drowsiness, increased appetite (the "munchies").

ECOLOGICAL DISTRIBUTION.
Has a wide ecological distribution but prefers fertile soils and adequate moisture. It grows best in:

Mount Kenya Region
The shrub is grown in areas stretching from Kiamuriuki forest to Chogoria also further deeper into the forest and riverine areas scattered around Mt. Kenya. The growing areas are characterized by inaccessibility, low population density and rough terrain.

The total area under the shrub is estimated to be about 800 acres in this region alone (May 1999) with an average of one acre per grower, but plantations of ten acres or more are also found.

Land preparation is done early by felling trees in the forest, and at times this operation is carried out at night. After this the planting is done using seeds mainly retained from the previous harvest. The spacing 1m x 1m, thinning is also done to maintain two plants per hole, weeding is carried out regularly as the plant is easily smothered by weeds, in fact most of the growing areas have a shelter constructed in the plantation where a few weeders stay so that they can do the weeding as regularly as possible and at the same time guard the plantation.

On some farms pegging of branches of this shrub is done to facilitate development of the auxiliary shoots hence more leaf development. No fertilizer use was reported, as the forest soils are generally fertile.

WESTERN REGION
The shrub is grown in many small portions of less than one acre to one acre plots scattered over the sugar belt area of Awendo, marginal cotton zones of Homa­Bay and sunflower maize zones of Gwasi hills in Suba district. The region has no standard agronomic practise when growing this crop.

Land preparation is mainly done under the cover of the main crop (maize, sugar cane, etc) Seeds are obtained from the previous harvest. The seeds are planted mainly by broad casting, but drilling in between rows of the main crop was also reported.

Weeding is done while weeding the main crop. In both areas there were reports of pest and disease control.

HARVESTING
This is done throughout the year by plucking leaves, tender shoots, flower buds and the flowers themselves. These parts are the sun dried and then packed using varying methods. Some are packed in gunny bags; Unga papers (unga papers being maize-meal packets) or rolled in packets of 20 each and bundles of these are then wrapped and placed in suitcases. Packaging is done in a way as to disguise it as much as possible to avoid detection by police.

MARKETING.
Marketing of the product is highly clandestine since it is prohibited by the law. The major markets are most of the provincial towns and cities mainly Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa, Homa Bay and other major towns. Bhang (as cannabis is popularly known in its cruder form) is available in virtually any market place in the country.

The main growers have direct contact with middlemen in major towns and avoid detection by transporting it to them directly in posh cars. Other modes of transportation are by concealment in long distance hauliers, lorries transporting timber logs and charcoal ‘Miraa’ (Khat another type of drug but which is legal) pick-ups, public transport and even concealment in ones clothing. To further avoid detection, transportation is done at night or wee hours with long routes or detours being taken to avoid detection. At times even official government cars have been used.

Once the product reaches the major towns and market centers, through various outlets namely ‘Miraa’ and ‘changaa’ (a local brew) dens, shoe shiners and cobblers, Kiosks posing as cigarette or sweet vendors, maize roasters and even ‘viremba’ (turban) wearing preachers. The street value of a ‘msokoto’ or roll ranges between KShs 5 to KShs 15 depending on the locality availability and quality. But to those who sell to tourists in the night clubs or kids from well to do families who don’t have a clue where to purchase and just want a little high while they party the cost goes as high as KShs 100. But the sale is done only to known customers or through them. Strangers are treated with suspicion and rarely served .It is estimated that an acre of bhang produces 800,000 ‘misokotos’ earning about KShs 4 million to 12 million per acre.

EFFECTS

In Kenya hardly a week goes by with out the mention of some Marijuana cases in both the print and electronic media. This in itself is evidence that the demand for the drug is high. Use of the drug is highest among low-income earners who work in plantations and the building industry. Also students, touts, cart pushers and unemployed youth use the drug. Tycoons are also said to be habitual users.

Different users have different reasons for using the drug with some saying they can work for longer hours while at the same time due to their low incomes and harsh working conditions some say it drowns out their miseries. Students claim that it makes them think better.

Real life observations with drug users however, reveal more losses than gains. Students become less and less productive with some even dropping out of school.

SOME SOURCES
Drugs in Kenya; a perspective Towards the formulation of a national drug control policy and strategy; the role of research a paper presented by HALIMA ABDULLAH MWENESI, PhD, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Centre for Public Health Research, P.O Box 20752,Nairobi, Kenya.
Cannabis Sativa (Linnaeus) Cannabis Sativa (linnaeus) —The Clandestine Plant — a paper presented by the Director of Agriculture and Livestock Production ­ MR. T. K. TUEI, MBS 10th may 1999, KCCT Mbagathi on a workshop to formulate a drug control policy and strategy for Kenya.

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