2,000 children a year treated for addiction to cannabis

Nearly 40 children in London a week are receiving NHS treatment for cannabis addiction, it has emerged.

Figures obtained by the Standard reveal doctors treated more than 2,000 children aged 18 and under in the capital last year.

It is a rise of nearly a third and marks a sharp increase from 2004 when just under 1,600 young people were treated.

The figures include teenagers suffering from cannabis-related mental health problems as well as those concerned about the impact of the drug.

Campaigners will today warn government advisers that children are suffering lasting damage from the drug, which was downgraded in 2004.

Mental health groups including Sane and Rethink will tell the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs that cannabis must be restored to a class B drug.

The advisory council is to review the health impacts of the drug when it will recommend whether cannabis should be returned to class B status. It is expected to report to Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, in April.

However, Whitehall sources have already indicated the drug will be upgraded from class C regardless of their decision.This has angered members of the advisory council who feel their views will be sidelined.