DAILY MARIJUANA USE A COMMON LINK IN VIOLENT ACTS

Instead of looking for a political motive for the violent act in
Tucson, just look at the facts. This young man is mentally ill with a
history of daily marijuana use, starting as early as high school.

Readers, please educate yourselves about marijuana and its link to
mental illness. There are plenty of articles out there. Consider,
also, past high-profile cases of young people involved in shootings
and mass murders. In many of these cases, we learned the shooters
were regular marijuana users.

All too often, however, we are not informed about a suspect's drug
use. That is information the public should always be made aware of if
we are serious about looking for ways to prevent violent acts.

Marijuana is not medicine and it is not a harmless recreational drug.
It is particularly dangerous to young minds.

- - Ellen Pollard, Salem