Pubdate: Sat, 16 Feb 2002
Source: Langley Advance (CN BC)
Copyright: 2002 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.langleyadvance.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1248
Author: Frank G. Sterle, Jr.
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

DRUGS: LEGALIZATION AROUND THE CORNER

Dear editor,

Many Canadian court judges, but particularly B.C. justices, are quickly 
directing our society toward legalization or decriminalization of 
marijuana. As an ex-pot-head, I believe that will result in increased 
consumption.

Note the great increase in alcohol abuse following the abolishment of 
alcohol prohibition earlier this century. According to health ministry 
literature, "Prohibition in both Canada and the United States was 
successful in dramatically reducing the extent of alcohol abuse and 
alcoholism, at least for the period of its existence."

Furthermore, a health-ministry-funded study on cannabis consumption reveals 
that, contrary to pro-pot propaganda, a permissive attitude towards 
marijuana results in its increased consumption, and the detrimental effects 
of that consumption among youths.

The study, conducted by UBC's Institute of Health Promotion Research, 
surveyed illicit drug use among 8,179 B.C. students and later at 20 schools 
province-wide.

One study supervisor, UVic nursing-school assistant-professor Marjorie 
MacDonald, noted, "Kids who said their parents were 'strongly' against it 
were considerably less likely to use marijuana than kids who said their 
parents were just 'somewhat' against it."

And it was found that the study's findings likely under-represent the true 
level of drug use: "The kids who are absent on the day the survey was done 
tend to be absent more often," said MacDonald, noting a relationship 
between drug use and skipped classes.

Frank G. Sterle, Jr., White Rock
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