Criminology seminar 31 July 2014

The changing face of Ganja in Nepal:
implications for policy and practice

presented by Dr John Howard, UNSW

Thursday July 31st at 2 pm
UNE Arts Lecture Theatre 2

All Welcome

Cannabis, used for centuries in Nepal and 'illegal' since 1973, grows wild and is used by people for many reasons, including spiritual, medicinal and recreational. Anecdotal evidence is emerging that cannabis use is not problem-free with concerns raised from the mental health field about cannabis use and psychosis, and from those providing Opioid Substitution Treatment that cannabis use may be associated with relapse while on OST.

A workshop in late 2013 brought together ex- and current Ganja users, persons on OST, and historical, spiritual and medical views on cannabis, its use and emerging issues regarding cannabis in contemporary Nepal. Subsequently, two small-scale qualitative exploratory studies were implemented: a) a survey of 15 sadhus at the Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu; b) a survey of 20 ex-OST participants, which demonstrated the 'pleasure' of Ganja use among OST participants, but diversity with regard to the role of cannabis in induction to and withdrawal from OST, and impact on perceived efficacy of 'dose' of OST, relapse and health.

Informed by these, a survey of 200 sadhus at Pashupatinath revealed that while 90% stated that were daily users of Ganja, other than for use by sadhus to aid focus, concentration, meditation, self-control and relaxation, the majority believe that cannabis should not be used other than medicinally, and that sacred scriptures do not indicate that Lord Shiva promoted its use. Preliminary findings have informed a research agenda, and have immediate implications for the practices of OST programs (i.e. involve Sadhus and addressing any cannabis use-related impacts on OST).

Presenter:
Dr John Howard
Senior Lecturer
National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre
National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre
Faculty of Medicine
University of New South Wales
Sydney 2052
Australia
Email: john.howard@unsw.edu.au

Shiva Lal Acharya - Program Officer, National Centre for AIDS and STD Control, Ministry of Health and Population, Nepal
John Howard – NCPIC, Australia
Kumar Lama - Assistant Program Manager, Saarathi Nepal
Ravi Krisna Shrestha - Program Officer, Saarathi Nepal
Shree Mahatma Sushil – Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu, Nepal
Sagun Ballav Pant - Psychiatry Registrar and Medical Officer Sarathi Nepal Medical Unit