Pubdate: Sat, 28 Oct 2006 Source: Herald, The (UK) Copyright: 2006 The Herald Contact: http://www.theherald.co.uk/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/189 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n1434/a06.html Author: John Dee Note: Title by MAP CANNABIS USE IS NON-PROBLEMATIC NEIL McKeganey (October 25) writes that "cannabis also happens to be the illegal drug most heroin and cocaine addicts actually started with". While there is a degree of truth in this, Professor McKeganey, of all people, should be aware of the maxim that while most "addicts" (whatever that means) use cannabis, very few cannabis users will touch heroin and will probably have little more than a passing acquaintance with cocaine. Indeed, the evidence strongly suggests that the majority of cannabis users are unlikely to progress beyond the occasional use of other illegal drugs: which drugs these may be is dependent on a number of factors (the social situation, for example). Furthermore, if we were to remove the word "illegal" from Professor McKeganey's statement, then "cannabis" could be replaced with "alcohol" or "tobacco" (a far more likely culprit). What are we to do with these? Professor McKeganey suggests that what we need is "a good deal more intolerance of all illegal drugs". That word "intolerance" is the key here and betrays the Puritan roots of Professor McKeganey's whole argument. Already in Scotland there is a smoking ban in public places (and, individual liberties aside, this is no bad thing), and recently there have been some official noises made regarding curbing the appalling relationship (some) Scots have with alcohol. It isn't known at this time what form these will take, but the chances are they'll involve the words "control" and "restriction". "Intolerance" will, therefore, be heavily implied: the stigmatisation of users of more-or-less any psychoactive compound will be complete. As Professor McKeganey will be aware, the majority of drug users can be described as "non-problematic". Other than the fact that their main drug of choice is illegal, they are not criminals. When asked about their use, they tend to report that one of the principal reasons for using whatever it is they use is to relax and/or unwind, usually after a hard week at work (and thus providing some - admittedly anecdotal - evidence that the intention of their drug use is to prevent serious mental ill-health). Whether sitting around sipping mineral water and reading temperance tracts - as appears to be the primary aim of Professor McKeganey's grand plan - will have the same effect is very definitely moot. Dr John Dee, Amsterdam, Netherlands. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake