DrugSense FOCUS Alert #137 November 24, 1999 USA Today Debate On Truth And Marijuana TO SUBSCRIBE, UNSUBSCRIBE, DONATE, VOLUNTEER TO HELP OR UPDATE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS PLEASE SEE THE INFORMATION AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS FOCUS ALERT PLEASE COPY AND DISTRIBUTE DrugSense FOCUS Alert #137 November 24, 1999 Last week, USA Today offered a brief but interesting debate on parental attitudes toward marijuana. In answer to the question "What Should You Tell Your Kids About Your Drug Use?" the newspaper printed two oped pieces. One suggested honesty regarding marijuana use (DEAR PARENTS WITH FOGGY MEMORIES: PLEASE DON'T PRETEND YOU NEVER INHALED available at http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v99/n1245/a04.html). The author of the other piece wrote that young people should be informed that spiritual poverty explains marijuana use, though, he does not explicitly call for lying about drug use(GLAMORIZING OUR PAST COMPOUNDS MISTAKES http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v99.n1245.a03.html) Yesterday, USA Today printed three letters regarding the call for parents to be honest about marijuana. All the published letters can be found below, and put together they represent a second round of debate about this aspect of drug policy. In order to encourage USA Today to offer more side by side arguments about drug policy issues, please write a letter to the newspaper. The letter could simply thank USA Today for bringing these issues before the public, or the letter could respond to any aspect of the two debates. Thanks for your effort and support. WRITE A LETTER TODAY It's not what others do it's what YOU do PLEASE SEND US A COPY OF YOUR LETTER OR TELL US WHAT YOU DID (Letter, Phone, fax etc.) Please post a copy your letter or report your action to the MAPTalk list if you are subscribed, or by E-mailing a copy directly to Your letter will then be forwarded to the list with so others can learn from your efforts and be motivated to follow suit This is VERY IMPORTANT as it is the only way we have of gauging our impact and effectiveness. CONTACT INFO Source: USA Today (US) Contact: Newshawk: MAP editors Rock! Pubdate: Mon, 22 Nov 1999 Source: USA Today (US) Copyright: 1999 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc. Page: 27A - Lead Letter Contact: Address: 1000 Wilson Blvd., Arlington VA 22229 Fax: (703) 247-3108 Website: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nfront.htm Author: Stephen S. Heath Note: Yes, Steve is a part of the MAP editing/posting team. Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v99/n1245/a04.html BE HONEST WITH CHILDREN ABOUT PAST 'POT' EXPERIENCE Columnist Patricia Pearson is right on the money on why we should be honest with our children, rather than lying about or exaggerating our experiences with marijuana ("What should you tell your kids about your drug use? Dear Parents with foggy memories: Please don't pretend you never inhaled." The Forum, Wednesday). It would behoove us to be more honest with each other as adults also. The Clinton administration's drug czar Barry McCaffrey continues to insist on telling American adults that any and all use of marijuana will lead the country down an inexorable slope to ruin. He repeatedly presents images of stoned schoolchildren and crazed drivers. This despite the obvious successes of millions of Americans who may use or have used marijuana. Lying to adults makes no more sense than lying to children. Pearson's column is a refreshing reminder that freedom has nothing to fear from the truth. Stephen S. Heath Largo, Fla. Newshawk: http://www.csdp.org/factbook/marijuan.htm Pubdate: Mon, 22 Nov 1999 Source: USA Today (US) Copyright: 1999 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc. Page: 27A Contact: Address: 1000 Wilson Blvd., Arlington VA 22229 Fax: (703) 247-3108 Website: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nfront.htm Authors: Robert W. DeStefano, Jim Webster Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v99/n1245/a04.html 'IRRESPONSIBLE' COMMENTARY The article by Patricia Pearson is one of the most irresponsible articles to ever appear on USA TODAY's editorial pages. Did I miss something recently? Aren't the drugs referred to in this article illegal for everyone in the United States? Don't we have a nationwide campaign to reduce drug use in this country, especially among children? It might not be surprising to find flagrant advertising for "recreational" drug use in an underground paper, but not USA TODAY. Jim Webster Arroyo Grande, Calif. ~~~~~ IGNORANCE ABOUT ADDICTION I am constantly amazed at the level of ignorance expressed by otherwise intelligent people when it comes to drugs and/or alcohol. In Patricia Pearson's article, this ignorance has been given voice once more. She claims that ''the difference between self-abuse and recreational pot smoking is so widely and tacitly understood that only . . . 'experts' '' miss the point. The fact is that pot smoking is no less dangerous to someone suffering an addictive illness than heroin or crack cocaine. Pearson's claim that ''you never see a 'pot addict' who drains his life savings to feed the habit'' indicates that she has not looked too hard. As someone who suffers from an addictive illness, I see such people all of the time. Neither are they few and far between. Pearson also claims that ''pot is like alcohol: People undone by it usually are trying to undo themselves because something in their lives is too painful.'' Would she make the same claim about someone suffering from diabetes or cancer? Do these sufferers ''undo themselves'' as well? I sometimes find it difficult to believe that even as this century draws to a close, so many still passionately cling to antiquated ideas about drugs and alcohol, ideas that are in complete opposition to that which is accepted by medical science. Politicians who use this topic for political gain exacerbate such misunderstanding. The facts seem to be these: There are people who suffer from addictive illnesses. For many of them, any drug and/or alcohol is extremely dangerous. Then, there is the rest of society. For these folks, most drugs and/or alcohol are fairly safe when used responsibly. Perhaps it would be more appropriate to educate our children about addictive illnesses and their symptoms, rather than categorically state that one drug is safe, while another is not. The safety of a recreational drug is far more dependent upon the health of the person taking it. Robert W. DeStefano Pontiets, Wales SAMPLE LETTER (sent) The letter "Be honest with children about past 'pot' experience" was a great expression of common sense. Lying has always been considered immoral - there's even a commandment against it. Why should marijuana be an exception? The truth did not seem as highly valued in the letter "`Irresponsible' Commentary." By suggesting it is appropriate to lie to our children, the author clearly expressed his own lack of honesty with himself. Will thinking and saying enough bad things about marijuana make it go away? All our past experience indicates that it will not. Thanks to USA Today for placing these two perspectives side by side. When compared, they illustrate an early moral lessons hopefully learned by children: honesty is the best policy. Stephen Young IMPORTANT: Always include your address and telephone number Please note: If you choose to use this letter as a model please modify it at least somewhat so that the paper does not receive numerous copies of the same letter and so that the original author receives credit for his/her work. ADDITIONAL INFO to help you in your letter writing efforts 3 Tips for Letter Writers http://www.mapinc.org/3tips.htm Letter Writers Style Guide http://www.mapinc.org/style.htm Prepared by Stephen Young - http://home.att.net/~theyoungfamily Focus Alert Specialist

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