DON'T BE FOOLED BY MARIJUANA SMOKE SCREEN

Two videos opposing legalization of marijuana will be presented at 7 p.m.
on Sept. 1 at Tillamook P.U.D.

The videos are entitled "The Case Against the Legalization of Drugs" and
"Medical Marijuana: A Smoke Screen". The presentation is sponsored by the
Republican Central Committee for Tillamook County. The public is invited
to attend.

On Nov. 3, voters will be asked to consider two ballot measures regarding
marijuana use. Ballot Measure 57, if approved, would reduce the charge for
possession of a limited amount of marijuana to a class-C misdemeanor.
Ballot Measure 67, if approved, would legalize medical use of marijuana.

Mollala Police Chief Ron Elkins spoke regarding marijuana at the Aug. 1
Republican State Convention in Portland. Chief Elkins confirmed that
Oregon has been targeted as a pilot state by those who wish to legalize all
drugs. Elkins urged strongly against legalization. He presented personal
testimony of heartbreaking drug use by his own brothers, as well as
statistical evidence regarding legalization.

Alaska, which made it legal to grow marijuana, saw greatly increased usage.
It recently re-criminalized growth of marijuana and is seeing a reduction
in usage.

Elkins declared that leaders in the drug legalization push intend to show
television ads with people "whining" about pain to engineer emotional
acceptance of medical use of marijuana.

To date there is no reliable medical research to confirm benefits from
marijuana. The plant contains 482 dangerous chemicals, and has five times
the carcinogens of regular tobacco. Promoters of marijuana argue that it
is helpful for AIDS victims, but it is actually an immune system
suppressant.

Chief Elkins further stated that 80 percent of all people arrested for
crime in Oregon test positive for drugs, usually marijuana. Voters are
urged to arm themselves with facts before voting.

Diane Waldron
Bay City, Oregon

Checked-by: Joel W. Johnson