MARIJUANA IS A HARMFUL DRUG

Editor, The News:

This is in response to the letter "It's time to decriminalize
marijuana" by Karen Durant (The News, Feb. 10).

Some thoughts expressed are cause for concern. Durant feels that
bringing in more severe sentences for drug crimes "will criminalize
ordinary people and ruin lives."

I would say that people who obey laws have self-discipline and are
responsible citizens who will not be criminalized. Is it possible that
they might have a positive effect on youth?

Drug Watch International states in part, "Leaf marijuana is not a
medicine. It is a harmful psychoactive drug, composed of over 400
different chemicals, which should not be used by anyone, especially by
people who are ill.

"Marijuana use has serious health consequences. Concentration, motor
coordination, memory, lungs, reproductive and immune systems all are
adversely impacted by marijuana use; marijuana is addictive. Promoters
of drug legalization have stated that they are pushing marijuana as a
medicine and using it as a 'red herring' as part of a strategy to
legalize marijuana for general use."

Office of National Drug Control Policy has stated in part, "In people
with psychotic or other problems, the use of marijuana can precipitate
severe emotional disorders. Chronic use of marijuana may increase the
risk of psychotic symptoms in people with a past history of
schizophrenia.

"Marijuana smoking by young people may lead to severe impairment of
higher brain function and neuropsychiatric disorders, as well as
higher risk for addiction and poly-drug abuse problems.

"Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center found that
marijuana linked to higher risk of testicular cancer and often strikes
between the ages of 20 and 35."

With all the problems that can be triggered by marijuana use, do we
need another legal addictive drug? What would we be saying to our
young people?

Let's give this some thought.

Eric Myrholm

Abbotsford