Pubdate: Fri, 11 Jan 2002
Source: Abbotsford News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2002 Hacker Press Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.abbynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1155
Author: Eric Myrholm

POT A DANGEROUS, MIND-ALTERING DRUG

Editor, The News:

It was heartening to read reporter Cheryl Wierda's recent article ('Pot, 
driving, not a great mix either,' A2, Jan. 5).

Plaudits to our great police force for having the will to tackle a very 
thankless task, that of dealing with the use of the dangerous, 
mind-altering and possibly addictive drug, marijuana.

Driving under the influence of this drug is a criminal act, and should be 
treated as such.

In the same edition of the Abbotsford News, reporter Wierda wrote another 
article about a large marijuana bust, in which well-known marijuana 
advocate Tim Felger states: "I am really concerned with the way things are 
going internationally because they are limiting people's rights."

The jury on marijuana's harmful effects is still out. It is a fact that 
marijuana can be a "gateway" to hard drugs. In a recent letter to the 
editor in your paper, a parent with first-hand knowledge regarding 
addictive substance use wrote: "People well versed in treating abuse and 
addiction issues specify that it is indeed a "gateway" drug. Some users are 
lucky; others not so.

Drug use can and will lead them and their loved ones into a hell deeper 
than many of us can imagine.

Parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters, please don't believe the myth 
that marijuana is not a dangerous, mind-altering, addictive substance. To 
date I have not heard of one valid reason for smoking marijuana, except for 
medical reasons if prescribed by a medical practitioner.

In thinking back to my younger years in business, we merchandised many 
supposedly safe materials such as lead for paint, DDT, nicotine and leaf 
arsenate-containing products for insect control, mercury for control of 
seed light, plus many others.

There was also powdered asbestos sold over the counter (one of my first 
jobs was packaging asbestos powder from 100-pound bags into five and 
10-pound packages).

These products have been successfully banned or are tightly controlled, if 
used directly by consumers.

Tobacco and alcohol are equally dangerous products, but banning them is not 
possible. Is this because of the properties to which some people have 
become addicted?

So often the comment is made: "It is my body. I am in control. No one has 
the right to tell me how to behave."

If a person becomes addicted to tobacco, alcohol, marijuana or any 
mind-altering drug, who or what is in charge? Please protect our children!

Eric Myrholm

Abbotsford
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