Pubdate: Wed, 17 May 2000 Source: Press, The (New Zealand) Copyright: 2000 The Christchurch Press Company Ltd. Contact: Private Bag 4722, Christchurch, New Zealand Fax: +64-3-364-8238 Website: http://www.press.co.nz/ Author: Ken Russell Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n649/a09.html CANNABIS USE Sir-Professor Fergusson asks in your article on teenage drug use (May 15) whether decriminalisation further increases the use of cannabis. A study by the Drug and Alcohol Services Council of South Australia into the effects of South Australia's cannabis decriminalisation scheme said: "The study showed there was no evidence that the introduction of expiation (on-the-spot fines) for marijuana use has led to any increase in the prevalence or intensity and frequency of marijuana use." A study by the Australian Bureau of Criminal Intelligence, in addition to rejecting the cannabis gateway theory (as countless reports have done), concluded that there was no evidence that moves by the ACT, South Australia, and the Northern Territory to adopt limited cannabis decriminalisation regimes had increased use of the drug. The lesson is clear. Cannabis is widely used in the community, mostly without harm. Decriminalisation will not increase use, but will improve social outcomes for cannabis users. Ken Russell, North Wollongong, NSW - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk