OFFICIALS CONCERNED ABOUT SALVIA BUT IGNORE ALCOHOL ABUSE

Regarding the story Legal hallucinogen concerns police, it seems all
negative symptoms associated with Salvia use mentioned in the article
(epileptic seizures, comas, unconsciousness, short-term memory loss,
headaches and insomnia) are also associated with alcohol use.

Furthermore, while Health Canada "is not aware of any (Salvia)
dependency," there is plenty of evidence of alcohol addiction.

The article says, "Saskatoon police admit they haven't had any
problems with Salvia," but I'm sure they would admit to the huge
amount of work stemming from alcohol abuse -- including impaired
driving (the leading criminal cause of death), murders, attempted
murders, assaults, sexual assaults, domestic violence, theft to
support alcohol addiction, vandalism, and even arson and riots.

One can peruse newspaper archives for endless examples. How often is
Salvia mentioned in police files? The number is probably insignificantly small.

Opinion leaders, policy makers and law enforcement officers consume
alcohol but don't likely consume Salvia. Aside from minimal
legislation regarding impaired driving and under-aged drinking, they
are very biased in choosing which substances to condemn and control.

Anton Olfert

Saskatoon