Pubdate: Wed, 24 Nov 2004 Source: Gateway, The (CN AB Edu) Copyright: 2004 Gateway Student Journalism Society Contact: http://www.gateway.ualberta.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3149 Author: Kristine Owram Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) MICROTORIAL: DRUGS: THE LAZY MAN'S THEATRE A recent Canadian Press article reported that the number of Canadian marijuana users has doubled since 1994, while the number of drinkers increased nearly ten per cent in the same time period. A disturbing trend? Probably, but the article makes no attempt to explain why this is happening. Is it a consequence of our increasingly liberal society? Has our permissive attitude inadvertently led to a general decrease in morality? Or is it just that we think we have nothing better to do? After all, it's a lot easier to head directly to the bar or, in the case of pot smokers, to someone's couch to relax after a long, hard week of school than it is to go out on the town and get some culture. Maybe instead of relying on stimulants and depressants to help us cope with stress and anxiety, we should learn to relax by reading, writing poetry, or going to the theatre. Who am I kidding? I'll see you in RATT. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D