TOKYO (TR) – Japan noticed a report 6,832 people busted for marijuana-related offenses final yr, with younger individuals accounting for greater than 70 % of the whole, the National Police Agency revealed Thursday, experiences TBS News (Apr. 2).
The determine represents a rise of 754 from the earlier yr, marking an all-time excessive. A staggering 3,633 of these arrested had been of their 20s, whereas 1,373 had been underneath the age of 20 — each the very best numbers recorded up to now decade.
The unfold of the illicit drug amongst minors has grow to be a urgent situation for authorities. Among these nabbed had been 243 school college students, 315 highschool college students, and 28 junior highschool college students.
In one notable case between April and June of final yr, 5 highschool boys had been arrested in Miyazaki Prefecture on suspicion of possessing weed.
The web is enjoying a significant function in fueling the surge. According to an NPA survey of suspects arrested for narcotics violations, greater than 40 % of these of their 20s or youthful initially contacted their sellers on-line. Of that group, over 90 % utilized social media platforms, the place transactions are incessantly carried out utilizing hidden slang.
Authorities additionally highlighted a disturbing lack of expertise concerning the drug’s risks. When surveyed, 53.6 % of suspects claimed they perceived “no harm” or “not much harm” in utilizing marijuana — a stark distinction to the mere 3.5 % who felt the identical approach about kakuseizai (methamphetamine).
Meanwhile, seizures of marijuana concentrates, equivalent to marijuana liquid, skyrocketed to roughly 315 kilograms final yr. That determine is greater than quadruple the quantity confiscated the earlier yr, setting yet one more report.
The NPA has pledged to step up its vigilance, warning that the widespread use of social media has made it dangerously simple for teenagers to get their arms on unlawful substances.