SAFE CANNABIS A MYTH

IT IS ENTIRELY laudable to see that Prof Robin Taylor ( ODT , 27.11.00) has
blasted a hole in the myth that cannabis smoking does not carry grave
health risks to young people who regularly use it. His research did not
encompass any mental side-effects, but that will follow in due course by
other researchers.

I believe the handling of this national problem does not reside in simply
having laws against cannabis possession, but instead demands a combined
effort to educate young people, by parents, teachers and police, in the
very real dangers associated with drugs in general, whether they be
recreational or medical. Unless concerted community action takes place to
tackle this problem, we will inevitably face tragedies flowing from drug
dependence, overdoses, etc, by our children.

Michael Groffman,
St Clair

[Abridged. - Ed.]