LET'S STEP OUT OF THE DARK AGES

To the Editor:

In response to the Rodman's letter to the editor - "Story on
Shambhala 'disgusting'" printed August 21, 2008.

At the onset let me make it very clear that I am not a proponent of
illicit drug use.

I am appalled by the Rodmans' references to "scores of international
studies" which show "that one in ten marijuana smokers will get
schizophrenia later in life." I would like to see printed results of
these studies.

This is just another insult to people who are having a difficult
enough time coping with the symptoms of schizophrenia, and may never
have smoked marijuana.

"The media is full of more and more murders linked to schizophrenia."
It is ignorant comments like these (Rodmans' and the media's) which
perpetuate the stigma against the mentally ill. If the citizens of
this great country would put more pressure on the "powers that be" to
provide proper care for the mentally ill, the media might have less
and less of these sensational stories to print.

It is a shame that too many people are still living in the dark ages
regarding mental illness. Knowledge dispels ignorance...which gives
us a better understanding of those who may be different from
us...which dispels fear...which helps us to live in harmony with
people living with a devastating illness such as schizophrenia.

Evelyn Kristiansen
Nelson, B.C.