THE high prevalence rate of substance abuse such as marijuana in Fiji has been identified as one of the risk factors for development of mental disorder.
Acting medical superintendent for St Giles Hospital and national adviser for mental health, Dr Kiran Gaikwad, highlighted this in an interview and said the use of drug substances such as marijuana made it difficult to treat and manage mental disorder effectively.
Dr Gaikwad was part of the “Creating Future Conference” at the Novotel Suva Lami Bay convention centre yesterday.
Dr Gaikwad said psychotic and mood disorders were also common in the country.
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