Pubdate: Fri, 02 Mar 2001
Source: Frederick News Post (MD)
Copyright: 2001 Great Southern Printing and Manufacturing Company
Address: 200 East Patrick Street, PO Box 578, Frederick, MD 21705-0578
Fax: 301-662-8299
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Website: http://www.fredericknewspost.com/
Author: Dave Miner

ALCOHOL, NOT POT, GATEWAY DRUG

This is in response to Cassie Hartzell's letter "Pot not that bad?" 
of Feb. 26. Ms. Hartzell begins her letter describing marijuana as a 
"gateway" drug, but she then proceeds to state "Guess how it all 
started? Marijuana. For one, I know someone who started out drinking, 
then using marijuana."

Does anyone else see the obvious flaw in this statement? Why do 
people continually disregard alcohol as a drug? Although I'm sure she 
did not intend to do so, her very example illustrates alcohol, not 
marijuana, as the gateway.

Personally, I'm not a big advocate of the "gateway" drug concept, but 
if you're going to count hills, start with the mountains.

DAVE MINER
Walkersville
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