Pubdate: Fri, 27 Dec 2002
Source: Paintsville Herald, The (KY)
Copyright: 2002 The Paintsville Herald
Contact:  http://www.paintsvilleherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2723
Author: Kevin Conley, Staff Writer
Note: the cited letter is at 
http://www.ndaa-apri.org/pdf/alsobrooks_letter_nov_1_2002.pdf
Cited: National District Attorneys Association http://www.ndaa-apri.org/
Office of National Drug Control Policy http://www.ndaa-apri.org/

FIGHTING DRUG LEGALIZATION THROUGH PROSECUTORS

At the urging of the White House and the National District Attorneys
Association (NDAA), prosecutors from across the United States are
beginning to focus on the dangers of marijuana, making prosecution of
marijuana-related drug cases a priority.

The NDAA cite the recent movement to legalize or decriminalize
controlled substances, particularly marijuana, as the reasoning behind
the new focus.

Scott Burns, Deputy Director for State and Local Affairs in the White
House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) issued a letter
to all prosecutors throughout the United States, outlining the dangers
of marijuana and labeling the drug as posing the greatest "threat."

The ONDCP has called on prosecutors on the local level to "tell
Americans the truth" about marijuana use, issuing statistical
information to better inform those trying the cases. The following is
an excerpt from the letter issued by the ONDCP.

"The truth is that marijuana is not harmless. As a factor in emergency
room visits, marijuana has risen 176 percent since 1994, and now
surpasses heroin. Smoking marijuana leads to changes in the brain
similar to those caused by the use of cocaine and heroin, and affects
alertness, concentration, perception, coordination and reaction time.
One recent study involving a roadside check of reckless drivers (not
impaired by alcohol) showed that 45 percent tested positive for marijuana.

"The truth is that marijuana is addictive. Average THC levels rose
from less than one percent in the late 1970s to more than seven
percent in 2001, and sinsemilla potency increased from six percent to
13 percent, and now reaches as high as 33 percent. Marijuana users
have an addiction rate of about 10 percent and of the 5.6 million drug
users who are suffering from illegal drug dependence or abuse, 62
percent are dependent on or are abusing marijuana.

"The truth is that marijuana and violence are linked. Research shows a
link between frequent marijuana use and increased violent behavior,
and youth who use marijuana weekly are nearly four times more likely
than non-users to engage in violence.

"The truth is that we aren't imprisoning individuals for just 'smoking
a joint.' Overwhelmingly, we treat drug users, and especially
marijuana users. Nationwide, the percentage of those in prison for
marijuana possession as their most serious offense is less than half
of one percent (0.46 percent), and those generally involved
exceptional circumstances.

"The truth is that marijuana is a gateway drug for many people. Not
every person that uses marijuana will go on to use other drugs, but
the overwhelming majority of people using other dangerous drugs -
about 99% - began by smoking 'a little weed.' People who used
marijuana are 8 times more likely to have used cocaine, 15 times more
likely to have used heroin, and 5 times more likely to develop a need
for treatment of abuse or dependence on ANY drug.

"The truth is that marijuana legalization would be a nightmare in
America. After Dutch coffee shops started selling marijuana in small
quantities, use of the drug nearly tripled (from 15 percent to 44
percent) among 18-20 year olds between 1984 and 1996. While our
nation's cocaine consumption has decreased by 80 percent over the past
15 years, Europe's has increased...and the Dutch government has
started to reconsider its policies.

"The truth is that marijuana is not a medicine, and no credible
research suggests that it is. There is a protocol to allow some drugs
- - like cocaine and methamphetamine - to be prescribed in limited
cases. Our medical system is the best in the world, and it relies on
proven scientific research, not opinions or anecdotes. The primary
medical 'benefit' of the numerous chemicals in marijuana are increased
risk of cancer, lung damage, and poor pregnancy outcomes."

The ONDCP also issued a series of talking points that are designed to
change the way the country views marijuana.

According to the statistics given by the ONDCP, marijuana is the most
widely used drug in America. Of the approximately 16 million current
illicit drug users, 12.2 million (about 77 percent) are using
marijuana. Of the 5.6 million Americans suffering from illegal drug
dependence or abuse, 62 percent are dependent on or are abusing
marijuana. And, of all teenagers undergoing drug treatment, about 60
percent have a primary marijuana diagnosis.

In addition to usage statistics, the council also cited health, social
and economic consequences as problems that correlate directly with
marijuana use. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake