Pubdate: Wed, 19 Mar 2003 Source: West Australian (Australia) Copyright: 2003 West Australian Newspapers Limited Contact: http://www.thewest.com.au Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/495 Author: Niall Young Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n395/a02.html I WAS said to hear of M. Simms' experience with youth suicide (Dangerous drug, 13/3). It is obvious that prohibition has failed in discouraging our youth and the mentally ill from using cannabis. Under prohibition, minors can buy illicit drugs far easier than regulated substances like alcohol and tobacco. Under prohibition, there are no warning labels or health information distibuted with cannabis. Under prohibition, the stigma attached to cannabis use dissuades users from seeking medical advice or mentioning their intoxicant of choice to their GP. Cannabis is not harmless - it should not be used by minors or those with mental health problems. However, responsible cannabis use by consenting adults is far safer than the use of alcohol, let alone the majority of over-the-counter and prescription drugs. Alcohol is abused throughout society, but we don't ban its sale or punish responsible alcohol users - we provide guidelines on how it can be used safely. Not all drug use is abuse. Adults who use cannabis responsibly should not be persecuted simply because a minority is guilty of substance abuse. The most significant harm from cannabis is caused by prohibition: criminal records and a lack of accurate information, particularly on safer alternatives to smoking. Cannabis users should not be given criminal records, let alone punished in the first place. Niall Young Mount Lawley - --- MAP posted-by: Alex