NO TO MEDICINAL POT

There's A Correlation Between Dope And Harder Drugs -- And Between Drugs
And Crime

To the editor:

I have just finished reading, with some concern, the Review-Journal
article describing how Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas,
is willing to take $30,000 from former gubernatorial candidate Aaron
Russo to start the medical marijuana program. Then I read further that
the administrator of a family trust would be willing to contribute money
also.

For the past seven years, I have helped the Nevada Treatment Center
reach out to the community to promote the treatment of addictions. I
have personally seen the results of lives shattered by drug use and the
horrendous impact drug use has on the state of public health in our
community. The use of alcohol and drugs (illicit and addictive
prescription medication) takes a huge toll on our society. Many of our
clients are HIV positive, many more are infected with the Hepatitis C
virus, and all are much more susceptible to disease like tuberculosis
because of suppressed immune systems brought on by drug use. These
people do not live in isolation from the rest of our community, they are
part of the community. As such they take these diseases into the
community. These public health issues are the main reasons I have spent
so much time volunteering with the Nevada Treatment Center.

I, unlike many people, see the correlation between the use of marijuana
and other addictive substances. I also see a tremendous correlation
between crime in our community and drug use.

Medical science already provides a multitude of drugs and other
substances to treat people in need of relief. Adding another that
impairs the functioning of the human brain is not needed and will only
contribute to a multitude of other problems in society.

Most of the financial support for the Nevada Treatment Center comes from
government funding, which is getting much harder to obtain. If there are
any other family trusts, corporations, or individuals who really want to
make a difference in the lives of those trying to leave addictions
behind, please donate to the treatment center of your choice. I know the
Nevada Treatment Center could always make very good use of any excess
funds made available to it.

Brad K. Simpson, Las Vegas