The mental health fraternity, led by the Executive Director of Butabika Hospital Dr. Juliet Nakku has asked the Defense Committee of Parliament not to legalize the use of cannabis or marijuana and khat.
The officials while interfacing with MPs on the committee to scrutinize the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance (Control) Bill 2023 stated that these should not be legalised because it will only increase mental illness among those who consume it.
Nakku stated that there is glaring evidence pointing to the fact that the substances have led to the admission of a significant number of mostly youth who abuse them. She stated that 31,1 percent of 7035 patients recorded had been admitted with drug related issues mainly cannabis use and 2.1 were on stimulants like Khat.
“7035 total admissions have been registered at Butabika hospital with these conditions, 25 percent of adults have been admitted for alcohol and substance abuse problems. 47.7 were hospitalized with alcohol related problems while 31,1 percent had drug related issues mainly cannabis use and 2.1 were on stimulants like Khat.” she said
She also added that the plant known as Khat or Mairungi has no medicinal value as widely claimed by people who support its deregulation.
“When we were talking about khat, we didn’t find medicinal use of the substance even though it is claimed. and as a mental health fraternity we declare that a public health approach should be ensured in the bill and that Cannabis and Khat be considered dangerous physio active substances on individuals, communities and in the long term for the nation.” She added
While appearing before the committee last week, the minister of internal affairs Kahinda Otafiire suggested removing khat or miraa, as it is locally called, from the list of prohibited substances.
Otafiire told the MPs on the committee that khat is not that dangerous to warrant the prohibition. He recommended that the lifting of the prohibition should be extended to cannabis for medicinal purposes. The Minister was leading a delegation from the police force and the Directorate of government analytical laboratory.
“Ladies and gentlemen I think we better remove khat from that legislation because when you consider khat and alcohol, khat is kindergarten play. You cant legalize alcohol and prohibit khat. About cannabis, Otafire said it grows as a weed in the west Nile region yet has not been abused by people there.” he said
He further told Mps that cannabis is an income generating source in several countries through concentrated oil produce.
The Defence committee of Parliament is currently scrutinizing the bill. It was recently reintroduced to parliament following a constitutional court ruling squashing the bill.