The National Drug Commission (NDC) is launching a campaign against an "epidemic" of marijuana use among the youth.

The NDC will also address the public at Harbour Nights next Wednesday. Health Minister Patrice Minors (pictured right) said: "Marijuana use is an epidemic. It is time we faced facts about marijuana and what it is doing to our youth.

"We as a community need to discredit the current misconceptions surrounding marijuana and increase awareness and information regarding its effect on people."

She said the perception that marijuana was a safe drug was untrue. The NDC says the campaign aims to reduce the use of the drug and boost public awareness. NDC chairman Rev. Andrew Doughty (pictured left) said attempts to legalise marijuana were misguided.