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If you have a problem or need help of whatever kind, please write to DR AJ a specialist psychiatrist who cannot be mentioned by name for professional and ethical reasons:
DR AJ
Durbs Magazine
PO Box 10903
4056 Marine Parade
Durbsmag@kwazulunatal.com
Dear Dr AJ
My boyfriend promised me that he would stop smoking dagga on a regular basis. We want to get married soon and I want him to prove to me that he can stop. He is studying at the moment and he will be working full time next year so he cannot smoke dagga then. I am also worried about him because he says he is ok but he smokes too much and I think it is affecting him badly. He is very aggressive.
HELP ME
Dear Help Me
Your concerns are legitimate. Your boyfriend is misleading himself! Dagga is like all drugs dangerous when abused and I am afraid your boyfriend is abusing dagga. If you abuse dagga at these levels, you need to be aware that it causes all sorts of problems in the brain. While these effects are still being debated I am sure you will notice that smoking dagga at these levels (morning noon and night) has changed him. Moreover, the dagga sold in our country that comes from kwaZulu-Natal is of such a strong nature it is known to cause psychotic episodes which means that the person loses touch with reality. Your boyfriend may have underlying issues regarding the use of dagga. For example he may be smoking it to help him cope with stress. If this is the case you must be very careful not to be judgemental. Explain to him that he is courting disaster by abusing this drug. You need to spell out the facts to him. Plain and simple and he needs to understand your needs and accept them. You can find much information on dagga on the internet as well as from your local Drug Rehab councillor or Health Professional. I would suggest you seek professional help from people that are not judgemental and have a thorough knowledge of dagga and its effects. A responsible loving husband with children does not abuse dagga and really cannot. And that goes for drugs like alchohol too. Another point to consider is that the dagga you source because it is illegal, there is absolutely no control over its processing which means you could be smoking rat poison!
Good Luck!
DR AJ
