PROTECT YOUTHS

The debate about marijuana as medicine has nothing to do with medicine or
compassion for the terminally ill. It has everything to do with the safety
and health of our nation's youth.

Kids are confused enough about marijuana, and the pro-marijuana initiatives
are sending the message that smoking pot is medically beneficial and,
therefore, harmless. However, our young people respond to the signals they
see on television, in fashion and in the movies. This alone would be reason
enough to quash any legal use of marijuana.

We have problems -- and costs -- enough now with preventing and intervening
on marijuana use. If we expect kids to reject drugs, we must stop sending
them mixed messages and separate the truth from lies.

Beyond a shadow of a doubt, the claims that smoking marijuana can be
medicinal are false and dangerous. Doctors, parents, teachers, school
counselors and pediatricians understand the havoc that marijuana can play
with developing young bodies. The American Medical Association does not
support smoking marijuana as a medicine.

Susan Hipsley, Editor

Student Assistance Journal Board Member

Prevention Coalition of Southeast Michigan Troy

Drugs Destroy Lives

So what Tim O'Brien said in his column is that marijuana is a life-saving
drug that we all should enjoy, and that Detroit would be a better place if
the criminal penalties for cocaine and heroin use were eliminated.

All we need to do is look at what alcohol and cigarettes have done to our
society to reject that idea. Schools teach students that drugs destroy
lives. If they ignore that advice and get caught, they go to jail.

John Nowak

Birmingham