CANNABIS IS NOT ADDICTIVE

Sir - Like Margie Brown (April 3), I am also a parent whose child
became a drug addict. However, I refute her contention that addiction
proceeds inevitably from one substance to another.

Cannabis is not addictive. If it were, tens of thousands of
baby-boomers would currently be in thrall to addiction.

Tobacco has been used by millions since the 16th century, and very few
have gone on to use hard drugs.

For Margie Brown to say her son's tobacco use led him to other drugs
is like saying that, since all alcoholics once drank milk, it led them
to alcoholism.

However, the illegality of cannabis not only does little to prevent
its use, but can lead young users to addictive drugs, since they all
tend to be sold by the same dealers, and it is in their interest to
get their customers addicted - an addicted customer is a regular customer.

L. RICHARDS
April 4, 2000