Marijuana is not just a "gateway" drug, the use of which leads to progression to harder drugs like cocaine and heroin, but addictive and destructive in its own right.

That was the message from the Minister for Culture and Social Rehabilitation, Dale Butler, who yesterday announced the launch of the National Drug Control's anti-marijuana campaign.

"Marijuana use damages our community and it is time we faced the facts about marijuana and what it is doing to our youth," Mr. Butler said. "I encourage every member of our community to stand and be accounted for as we work together towards a healthier community bringing forth environmental and social change by becoming more aware of the harmful effects of marijuana."

A 2007 National School Survey revealed that one in eight students in Bermuda aged between 13 and 18, or 12.8 percent, admitted to using marijuana during the 30 days preceding the survey.

In percentage terms, the numbers represented an increase from 10.3 percent in the 2003 National School Survey, to 12.8 percent in 2007.

According to John P. Walters, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy in the US: "The risks associated with marijuana have been trivialised and our kids are getting the wrong message. Outdated and false perceptions about the drug are putting today's kids at risk."

The objectives of the current campaign are to reduce experimentation and marijuana use amongst such young people while simultaneously educating parents.

Regular marijuana use can cause chronic coughing and wheezing, aggravate asthma, and lead to increased anxiety, panic attacks, depression and other mental health problems.

According to the Department for National Drug Control, most people receiving treatment for drug addiction on the Island report using marijuana at an early age, eventually leading them to try harder drugs such as cocaine and heroin.

The campaign aims to teach young people to choose healthy alternatives rather than participating in destructive activities that can lead to drug use.