Pubdate: Tue, 05 Jun 2001
Source: Dominion, The (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2001 The Dominion
Contact:  http://www.inl.co.nz/wnl/dominion/index.html
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/128
Author: Jason Baker-Sherman
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n931/a02.html
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

DABBLING IN CANNABIS

Sir, -- The Dominion editorial (May 15), argues that cannabis should remain 
illegal to protect our young people based on the notion that "dabbling with 
drugs is often an indication that a young person has other problems as well".

However, psychologists have found that adolescents who dabble with drugs 
are healthier psychologically than either frequent drug users, who usually 
exhibit pre-existent emotional problems, or drug abstainers, who are often 
emotionally constricted and socially retarded.

The zero-tolerance of cannabis use by the establishment may be harmful to 
the formative development of healthy young adults, especially if they are 
expelled from school, given a criminal conviction or simply alienated from 
society.

Jason Baker-Sherman, Dunedin
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager