Students warned to stay away from marijuana

STUDENTS of a school in Port Moresby have been told that marijuana can affect the human reproductive system.
The team leader of the National Narcotics Bureau, Mathew Nelson, told students at Hohola Demonstration Primary School yesterday that marijuana abuse had adverse effects on both female and male reproductive systems.
He revealed that marijuana reduced the level of male testosterone.
“Marijuana can reduce the number of sperm produces by the testes,” Nelson said.
“Offspring of marijuana users may have abnormal chromosomes.
“Science has proven that.”
Nelson urged male students not to smoke marijuana because there was nothing good in it for them.
He said marijuana disrupted normal menstrual cycles for females, and might interfere with ovulation.
“This increases the number of foetal deaths during pregnancy,” Nelson said.
He said marijuana contained an ingredient called Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that was responsible for mind-altering.
“As THC crosses the placental membrane of a female during pregnancy, it is passed to the unborn child,” Nelson said. “This affects the weight and maturation of babies born to marijuana users.
“So females, this is not good for you. I don’t want you girls to start drugs.”
The programme was funded by the Australian government through the Justice Service and Stability for Development programme and spearheaded by Justice Department.