Ad warns young of cannabis effect; In association with the NHS

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), Feb 23, 2009

AN advertising campaign warning of the links between cannabis use and mental health damage has been launched.

In the television advert, the negative effects of the drug - memory loss, paranoia and panic attacks - appear as unwanted guests at a party in the user's brain.

Cannabis user Simon smokes a joint and at first feels giggly, talkative and craves food, before the side effects of the drug take over.

The pounds 2.2million campaign, which follows the reclassification of cannabis into Class B last month, is targeted at 11-18 year olds.

It urges youngsters with questions about the drug to "Talk to Frank" by calling an information line or visiting the campaign website.