Cannabis Use in Muslim Youth.

Reyam N Nassif

doi:10.7759/cureus.15615

Abstract

Cannabis is the most used illicit drug in the world. It causes impaired executive functioning, psychosis, and schizophrenia, among other impairments. It also affects reaction time, awareness, and motivation. These side effects can lead to decreased academic performance as well as social setbacks. Variance in the interpretation of whether cannabis is forbidden fuels the ongoing debate on the religious stance of cannabis use among Muslim communities across the globe. Stigma is the biggest barrier for open discussion about cannabis usage and also acts as a barrier to the implementation of harm-reductive programs in the Islamic world. There is clear evidence that due to stigma, religious beliefs, and social factors, Muslim youth are at a higher risk than their adult counterparts and that they feel unable to seek help with regard to cannabis and other drug abuse. By reviewing studies on the harmful effects of cannabis use and comparing them against notions of what is considered forbidden in the Islamic tradition and other communities, this paper explores the best ways to reduce harm from cannabis usage in the global Muslim community.

Highlights

BackgroundIslam is a religion that serves and prescribes a way of life for Muslims in a protective and unifying way [1]
Research has found that teenagers and adolescents are most likely to engage in cannabis use
Longitudinal data indicates an association between adolescent cannabis use and psychosis [5]

Summary

Introduction

Islam is a religion that serves and prescribes a way of life for Muslims in a protective and unifying way [1]. Harm reduction programs to reduce the effects and harms of substance abuse are considered a religious necessity and are completely concordant with the Islamic principles of the preservation and protection of the faith, life, intellect, progeny, and wealth. These programs must be created in conjunction with religious beliefs This will allow for Muslim youth to be educated culturally in an appropriate way by giving them an easy-to-grasp understanding of the dangers of cannabis and other forms of drug use. These programs will be able to offer students tools to resist drug offers from peers. These programs may involve education for the whole family, giving them tools to cope, manage, and build a stronger family, which in turn helps to strengthen the community as a whole

Conclusions

Disclosures

Findings

Howard D