Recently, Marijuana Moment, one of the most popular cannabis media outlets in the United States, published an article 「High School Students Say Marijuana Is Harder To Access Following Legalization For Adults, Canadian Study Shows」about the accessibility of cannabis in Canada following its legalization. The article shares commonalities with the current issue in Japan involving the overdose of over-the-counter and prescription drugs.
Since the legalization of recreational cannabis in 2018 in Canada, it has become evident from recent studies that acquiring cannabis has become more difficult for high school students. This research, conducted across various provinces in Canada, investigates how the legalization of cannabis and the subsequent emergence of dispensaries have affected young people’s access to cannabis. Meanwhile, in Japan, the overdose of over-the-counter drugs has become a serious issue, particularly with an increasing number of cases involving young people requiring emergency transport. This article aims to compare the situations in these two countries and explore their strategies to counter drug abuse.”
Background of Cannabis Legalization in Canada
The legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada has been a policy of international significance, with diverse backgrounds and objectives. Canada became the second country in the world to legalize recreational cannabis for adult use in 2018, marking the first such initiative among developed nations.
The backdrop of cannabis legalization in Canada involves a multitude of factors. For years, keeping cannabis illegal had generated significant social and economic costs. The existence of the black market served as a funding source for criminal organizations, imposing considerable burdens on law enforcement and the judicial system. Furthermore, arrests and convictions related to cannabis use negatively impacted youth and minority communities, often leading to long-term detrimental effects on their futures.
Another significant factor was the growing recognition of the medical benefits of cannabis. As research on medical cannabis use progressed, its effectiveness in managing pain, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and other conditions was increasingly acknowledged. The results of these studies accelerated discussions about changing Canada’s cannabis policies.
A primary goal of the Canadian government in legalizing cannabis was to regulate the use and supply of cannabis, thereby protecting public health and the safety of its citizens. This led to government control over the quality of cannabis products, restricting access to minors, and ensuring safe products for consumers. Additionally, creating a legal market aimed to shrink the black market and cut off revenue streams to criminal organizations. From a public health perspective, the provision of accurate information and education about cannabis became possible, enabling users to purchase and use cannabis in a safe environment. This was expected to reduce health damages related to cannabis, and aid in the prevention and treatment of addiction and other related issues.
Thus, the legalization of cannabis in Canada represents a phased policy aimed at achieving multiple objectives: reducing crime, improving public health, and enhancing economic benefits. The process of easing regulations and making changes continues. This policy has fostered societal changes regarding cannabis and promoted its broader introduction for medical and recreational purposes. It has become an important guidepost for other countries, such as Thailand, Germany, Israel, and the United Kingdom, as they embark on similar paths. Canada’s cannabis policy, influenced by international situations and organizations like the United Nations and the World Health Organization, is considered a standard for the future legalization of cannabis in countries like the United States and others around the world.
Background of Over-the-Counter Drug Abuse in Japan
The issue of over-the-counter (OTC) drug abuse in Japan has become increasingly serious in recent years, and its background is rooted in a long history. The problem stems from the easy availability of these drugs, a general lack of awareness about their misuse, and a combination of social and psychological factors.
The issue became particularly prominent after Japan’s period of high economic growth. Along with the rapid development of the Japanese economy during this time, the pharmaceutical market also expanded. In Japan of the 1950s to 1970s, a labor-intensive industrial structure and long working hours were the norm, exposing many workers to excessive stress and fatigue. This led to an increase in people relying on OTC drugs for stress relief, sleep, or relaxation. Additionally, at that time, information about medicines was limited, and there was a general lack of awareness about the side effects and potential for dependency of these drugs.
Simultaneously, the people of Japan were experiencing rapid social changes due to economic development. Rapid urbanization, changes in family structures, and intensified competition in education and employment created considerable social stress. These changes had a significant impact on people’s lifestyles and health, manifesting in the form of drug abuse. The problem of drug misuse during this period is important in understanding the background of contemporary issues with pharmaceutical overdoses. It highlights the need to increase awareness of drug safety and proper usage among the public and to seek healthy ways to cope with societal stress.
Study on Cannabis Accessibility in Canada
The study on the difficulty of accessing cannabis among high school students following legalization in Canada has become an important source of data for evaluating the impact of public health policies. This research aims to understand how the legalization of cannabis has affected access for younger demographics.
The study targeted students from grade 9 to 12 in various secondary schools across provinces like British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec. Conducted between 2018 and 2021, the survey asked students about the ease of obtaining cannabis, aiming to assess the effects of legalization.
The results indicated a significant decrease in the percentage of students who reported easy access to cannabis, dropping from 51.0% to 37.4% between 2018 and 2021, a total reduction of 26.7%. Additionally, there was a decline in the percentage of students who reported using cannabis in the past month, from 12.7% to 7.5% during the same period.
This study suggests that cannabis legalization has had an effect in limiting minors’ access to cannabis. The regulation of cannabis sales following legalization, especially the strict restrictions on sales to minors, likely contributed to the increased difficulty for minors to obtain cannabis. Furthermore, educational and awareness campaigns accompanying legalization may have altered young people’s perceptions of cannabis and reduced its use. However, it’s important to note the limitations of such studies. Since the data is based on self-reporting, there might be questions regarding its reliability. Additionally, determining whether the change in accessibility is a direct result of legalization requires ruling out other factors, such as the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Over-the-Counter Drug Overdose Problem in Japan
The issue of over-the-counter (OTC) drug overdose in Japan suggests that the misuse of pharmaceuticals is recognized as a significant social health risk. The widespread use of OTC drugs, often easily accessible without a prescription, exacerbates this problem. The abuse of painkillers, cold medicines, and sleeping pills, in particular, is increasing among the youth, leading to heightened health risks associated with overdose.
The misuse of these drugs is often a means of escaping stress or mental health issues. Factors such as academic and occupational pressure, as well as stress in personal relationships, can lead young people to rely on these medications. The spread of information about the misuse and effects of specific drugs through the internet and social media also aggravates the issue.
To address this problem, stricter regulations on the sale and use of OTC drugs are considered necessary, with measures to prevent easy access by young people. Moreover, enhancing education and awareness activities about the proper use and risks of OTC drugs is crucial. There is also a need to improve support systems for dealing with stress and mental health issues, especially creating environments where young people can cope with these challenges in healthy ways. The issue of OTC drug abuse extends beyond just a pharmaceutical problem; it must be seen as a social issue. Implementing appropriate measures can prevent the aggravation of this problem and contribute to building a healthier society.
Drug Strategies in Both Countries
Canada’s approach to combating drug abuse is based on four main pillars:
- Prevention and Education: Focused on raising awareness to prevent and reduce drug abuse.
- Evidence: Supporting drug-related policies through research and data collection.
- Support for Drug Users: Providing a range of treatments, harm reduction, and recovery options for drug users.
- Substance Control: Establishing legal regulations to address public health and safety risks.
Canada’s drug strategy treats substance use as a part of a broader health issue, addressing users with compassion and respect.
In contrast, Japan primarily treats drug use as a criminal issue, with an emphasis on eradication. Japanese drug policy focuses on law enforcement against users, preventing sales and smuggling, and international cooperation. However, support for drug users is insufficient, and there is opposition to the introduction of harm reduction strategies. Furthermore, Japan’s drug policy is based on a punitive approach, with approximately 25% of its prison population related to drug offenses. Despite the application of severe criminal penalties, a significant portion of drug offenders are repeat offenders. Compared to North America and European countries, Japan lacks the perspective of understanding drug use as a health issue.
Canada’s approach, which views drug use as a health problem, contrasts with Japan’s treatment of drug use as a criminal issue, focusing on strict penalties. This includes the anticipated enforcement of cannabis use as a criminal offense from 2024. Canada’s approach, which supports drug users and facilitates their reintegration into society, has the potential to reduce the risks associated with drug abuse. On the other hand, Japan’s approach, which often leads to incarcerating drug users, limits opportunities for social reintegration and may not lead to long-term solutions. These differences reflect the cultural and societal disparities in attitudes towards drug abuse.
- Japan: It’s necessary to understand drug use as a health issue and strengthen the provision of treatment and support for users. Furthermore, reconsidering the introduction of harm reduction and adopting a comprehensive approach to drug addiction is essential.
- Canada: While already viewing drug use as a health issue, it’s crucial to further expand access to treatment and recovery programs, particularly enhancing support for socially vulnerable groups.
The drug abuse strategies in both countries are deeply rooted in their respective social and cultural backgrounds, making it challenging to say definitively that one approach is more effective than the other. However, an approach like Canada’s, which treats drug use as a health issue and strengthens support and understanding for users, could potentially resolve the issues of drug abuse in a more sustainable manner.
Reference: IPDC「Drug use, regulations and policy in Japan」、Government of Canada「Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy: Overview」、Marijuana Moment「High School Students Say Marijuana Is Harder To Access Following Legalization For Adults, Canadian Study Shows」、Ritsumeikan University「1960年代の医薬品がおかれた状況を事例から明らかにする」、BioMed Central ltd.「Youth perception of difficulty accessing cannabis following cannabis legalization and during the early and ongoing stages of the COVID-19 pandemic: repeat cross-sectional and longitudinal data from the COMPASS study」、NCNP「わが国における市販薬乱用の実態と課題「助けて」が言えない子どもたち」
