Pubdate: Thu, 03 Aug 2000
Source: Canberra Times (Australia)
Copyright: 2000 Canberra Times
Contact:  http://www.canberratimes.com.au/
Author: M. McConnell

DILEMMA OVER DRUG USE

THE ARTICLE ''Father grew cannabis for his son'' (CT, July 27) illustrates 
the dilemma faced by parents when their children use drugs and a lack of 
understanding of this by Magistrate Maria Doogan. Magistrate Doogan 
reprimanded the father for growing cannabis for his son but she needs to 
understand why parents might consider this option.

Of course parents don't want their children to use drugs but what are they 
to do when, as ACT education surveys show a majority of college age 
students, out of peer group pressure or a wish to experiment will use?

How are parents to keep their children as safe and healthy as possible 
until they mature out of their drug use, when they know that frequent 
involvement with street dealers exposes them to many opportunities to use 
other drugs?

The Netherlands has separated the ''hard'' and ''soft'' drug markets and 
has less cannabis and hard drug users and substantially less overdose 
deaths than does Australia.

Parents by allowing their children to use cannabis grown in their own 
backyard are in effect providing a separation from the criminal trade in 
the drug. They are also reducing the chances of their children coming into 
contact with the criminal justice system.

Magistrate Doogan needs to understand that the present system sometimes 
leaves parents with few choices for protecting their children.

M. McConnell, Higgins
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