Pubdate: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 Source: Seattle Times (WA) Copyright: 2009 The Seattle Times Company Contact: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/409 Author: John Tuttle ALCOHOL IS THE REAL GATEWAY DRUG In George Will's Oct. 29 syndicated column he quoted Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy Gil Kerlikowske's answer when asked if he thinks marijuana is a gateway drug. Kerlikowske said, "You don't find many heroin users who didn't start with marijuana." I wonder how many started with alcohol? Just as many - probably many more, I bet. There are other things to consider regarding this issue, as well. How many people die each year of alcohol overdoses? Tens of thousands. How many people die each year of marijuana overdoses? Zero. (They fall asleep long before that can happen.) Which of the two is the most dangerous drug? John Tuttle, Seattle - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake