Pubdate: Sat, 04 Jun 2005
Source: San Jose Mercury News ( CA )
Copyright: 2005 San Jose Mercury News
Contact:  http://www.mercurynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/390
Author: Bruce Mirken
Bookmark: 
http://www.mapinc.org/campaign.htm 
( ONDCP Media Campaign )
Bookmark: 
http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm ( Cannabis )

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS NOT SAFER THAN POT

As Henry Barmeier notes, abuse of prescription drugs by teens is a 
serious problem ( op-ed, May 31 ).  We may be making the problem 
worse in the messages we send to young people.

Advertising bombards young and old alike with messages saying a pill 
can solve any problem, from depression to erectile 
dysfunction.  Meanwhile, the White House's anti-drug ad campaign has 
focused almost entirely on marijuana -- often with wildly exaggerated 
claims regarding alleged dangers.  In effect, we're encouraging kids 
to think of potentially lethal prescription drugs as safer than 
marijuana.  Scientifically, that's wrong.

Anti-drug campaigns that ignore this reality are a threat to the 
lives of our young people.

Sincerely,

Bruce Mirken

Director of Communications

Marijuana Policy Project in Washington, D.C., San Francisco