BERLIN, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Cannabis use among Germans aged between 12 to 25 years old has increased in recent years, according to a report published on Thursday by the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA).
In 2016, 16.8 percent of 18- to 25-year-olds in Germany said they had used cannabis at least once in the past 12 months, while in 2008, it was 11.6 percent, according to the report published in the lead up to the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26.
The increase in young men in this age group is particularly clear. Currently, about one in four claimed to have taken cannabis at least once in the past twelve months, while in 2008, 14.8 percent of young men did so. Cannabis use has also increased among 12- to 17-year-old male adolescents. In the time of the survey, 9.5 percent said they had used cannabis in the past 12 months. In 2011 it was 6.2 percent.
Marlene Mortler, drug commissioner of the federal government, said in a statement published with the report: "This increase is not good news. The constant debate about legalization of cannabis is going in the wrong direction. It just suggests to youngsters that cannabis is a harmless substance, but that is simply wrong!"
Mortler added, today's cannabis has little in common with the comparatively weak drug of 20 years ago.
Heidrun Thaiss, head of the BZgA, explained that as a psychoactive substance, cannabis can impair brain development and lead to personality disorders, especially if it is consumed regularly at a young age.
A total of 7,003 adolescents and young adults between the ages of 12 and 25 were interviewed for the survey "The Cannabis Consumption of Young People and Young Adults in Germany 2016" in the period from March to June 2016.
