On Saturday, August 20 at approximately 16:00, a member of the South African Police Service (SAPS) patrolled at Old Coronation. She noticed a shack where the residents inside were allegedly drug dealers, according to a tip off. Upon her arrival she saw that everyone was smoking dagga, while one resident had a black plastic bag containing dagga. He was arrested immediately.
Another arrest was made on Wednesday, August 17 at about 00:30, also at Old Coronation. The suspect was arrested after dagga was found in his possession. The amount of dagga in both cases are still unclear.
Health24 stated in an article dated on June 24, that although cannabis (dagga) is viewed as an innocent herb by many, there is an increasing concern about the health effects, according to Dr Lize Weich, senior psychiatrist and lecturer at Stellenbosch University.
Health24 also mentioned that many users become dependent on cannabis, as much as one in nine users, where those who start using it in their teens, have a one in six chance of becoming dependent. Heart attacks, arrhythmias and strokes can be some of the disastrous effects of using cannabis.
Chest infections, chronic bronchitis and emphysema are very common among ‘smokers’.
Health24 is also of the opinion that cannabis smoke also contains carcinogens (cancer causing agents), similar to the agents found in tobacco smoke and it may predispose an individual to lung cancer. Which explained that it also has psychiatric complications like panic, anxiety, depression or psychotic symptoms.
Behavioural consequences can be experienced by long-term users where memory problems and the struggle to process information can occur.
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