"The research medical cannabis has nothing to do with the recreational consumption of hashish and marijuana". This was stated at the University of Navarra by Emiliano Martín, general sub-delegate of the National Plan on Drugs. Martín spoke at the XX Course of update for Postgraduates on 'Drug Addictions', which the School of Pharmacy of the University of Navarra held between May 30 and June 2.

I believe," he added, "that lately a great deal of confusion has been generated around the therapeutic use of cannabis derivatives. There have been attempts, on occasions, to relate the possible therapeutic capacity of one of the 60 active cannabinoids contained in marijuana with the supposed goodness of its consumption, which generates so many physical, psychological and social problems according to the most recent research".

Martín also explained that "at present we can speak of a status defined by the use of new drugs, fundamentally the so-called synthetic drugs, and the adoption of new patterns of consumption of more familiar substances, such as alcohol, cannabis and cocaine. This affects, above all, the younger sectors of the population, and has as outstanding elements a consumption centered on weekends, outside the family environment, in public spaces or premises and having fun as the main motivation".

Greater control during the summer period

When asked what to do with pubs and discotheques where it is obvious that drugs are consumed, he commented that the Law for the Protection of Citizen Security clearly contemplates sanctions for premises "where these substances are sold, and which can even lead to the closure of the establishment. In addition, regardless of the actions of the Security Forces and Corps in this subject, the Government Delegation for the National Plan on Drugs gives every year an instruction to increase this activity in the summer period".

Regarding the last advertising campaign of his department, undoubtedly the toughest of all those that have been carried out so far, the sub-delegate informed that "from June, the Delegation will continue with this campaign, improving and enhancing its contents, among which a direct telephone number enquiry will be included for those who wish to receive specific information".

Martín added that the first goal of the National Plan on Drugs is, "without any doubt, prevention: it constitutes the basic axis on which the National Strategy is articulated. Prevention based on Education and the enjoyment of healthy leisure activities by young people has been proposed. One of the most ambitious specific objectives in this regard is the generalization of preventive programs to the entire school population".

Smoking

Nor did he rule out other priorities, such as the full attendance outpatient treatment of drug addicts in the area of their autonomous community or city, the development of job integration programs or the creation of a National high school of research and training on Drugs.

In view of the increase in the number of smokers issue , she assured that "from the Delegation and the Plan we are closely following this evolution in order to adapt our preventive actions. We want to avoid that a habit such as smoking, which is decreasing in the general population, may increase in a specific sector such as young women".