Pubdate: Tue, 31 Jul 2007
Source: Guardian, The (UK)
Copyright: 2007 Guardian Newspapers Limited
Contact:  http://www.guardian.co.uk/guardian/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/175
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n910/a09.html
Author: Dave Young

HONESTY NEEDED IN CANNABIS DEBATE

Jackie Ashley (Cannabis is bad for you, but it's also impossible to 
ban, July 30) wisely calls for better drug education and the need to 
see cannabis use as primarily a health rather than legal issue. A 
little more honesty from politicians might also help the debate. 
Amazingly an increasing number of MPs admit to smoking dope a couple 
of times, but apparently not one enjoyed it. Young people aren't 
fools - they know from their own experience that recreational drugs 
are, at least initially, pleasurable. People would hardly bother 
taking them if they weren't. How hard is it to say "I used to enjoy a 
spliff, but grew out of indulging and now have an awareness of the 
health dangers unavailable then"? Honesty, coupled with sufficient 
funding, makes for a far better drugs policy.

Dave Young

London
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom