Pubdate: Sat, 16 Mar 2002
Source: Union, The (CA)
Copyright: 2002 Nevada County Publishing, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.theunion.com/index.html
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/957
Author: Debra Craig

DANGEROUS DRUGS ALREADY LEGAL

In a recent letter regarding medical marijuana and its assumed "adverse 
effects on Scott Thorpe," we read the belief that the "legalization of 
drugs" is not a good idea. I would suggest that "drugs" are already legal. 
But, unlike medical marijuana, these drugs are disguised, widely accepted 
and distributed, and quite potentially dangerous.

I am referring to the heavily promoted anti-depressant and anti- anxiety 
prescription drugs. These medications belong to a class of drugs known as 
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), kin to LSD and PCP. 
According to Dr. Ann Blake Tracy, of the International Coalition For Drug 
Awareness (www.drugawareness.org), and author of "Prozac: Panacea or 
Pandora? - Our Serotonin Nightmare": "Antidepressants are the closest thing 
we've seen to LSD and PCP; they affect the same receptors in the brain." In 
fact, the maker of Prozac patented LSD years ago, when it was touted as a 
potential cure for mental illness and alcoholism.

Ritalin also affects serotonin levels. It is a meth drug, similar to 
cocaine. Five million children were on Ritalin in the year 2000. Between 
1995 and 1999 Ritalin use went up 23 percent in children 6 years and under, 
while the Prozac family of drugs went up 580 percent in the same age group.

According to Dr. Tracy, and other experts, 7 to 10 percent of patients do 
not have the liver function necessary to metabolize these drugs. Even if 
they do, eventually this liver function can become impaired. The potential 
toxic effects from extended use of and withdrawal from these substances can 
be quite severe.

"I can certainly verify that anti-depressants can cause mania and psychosis 
and cause violence and suicide," says Dr. Peter Breggin, of the Center for 
the Study of Psychiatry and Psychology, and author of "The Anti-Depressant 
Fact Book: What Your Doctor Won't Tell You About Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, 
Celexa and Luvox."

Dr. Tracy is currently writing a book on parents who kill their children 
because 90 percent of them have been found to be on these mind-altering 
drugs. The most recent, tragic case is Andrea Yates.

Debra Craig

Grass Valley
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens