Pubdate: Wed, 06 Jun 2012
Source: El Paso Times (TX)
Copyright: 2012 El Paso Times
Contact: http://www.elpasotimes.com/townhall/ci_14227323
Website: http://www.elpasotimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/829
Author: Martha Casas

LETTER OF THE DAY

For years, I have been happy with the El Paso Times. However, lately,
the newspaper has demonstrated a disregard for the seriousness of
marijuana and its use in today's society.

In one article, the author wrote that Mr. O'Rourke endorses the
legalization of only marijuana. I am at odds with the nonchalant
attitude of the Times toward the legalization of this drug.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), marijuana is
an addictive drug that adversely impacts our children. Research has
shown that marijuana users in middle school are more likely to drop
out of school than non-users and are more likely to experiment with
other illegal drugs, such as cocaine, heroin, and crack.

I have devoted my career to helping children succeed in public school
and in life. Moreover, I have an accumulation of personal research
with youngsters in alternative education to know that this drug is
destructive.

Although I am a registered Democrat, I will not support Mr. Beto
O'Rourke. Instead, I will support Barbara Carrasco, who does not
support the legalization of marijuana. I have spoken with her and she
shares my concern for the well-being of our children.

Dr. Martha Casas

West El Paso
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MAP posted-by: Matt