TROUBLED BY YOUTH'S VIEW OF MARIJUANA

As an educator and counsellor of teens, I have felt the need to write
about the apparent acceptance, by many, of marijuana use as a
harmless pastime. My need to write was heightened after observing
student reactions to a recent all-candidates meeting and the student
"practice" federal election held in area schools.

The Marijuana Party candidate received cheers, support and
significant votes from many students.

I find it sad that this impressionable group of children seems to
perceive that society has already accepted marijuana as a safe and
cool drug. The research does not seem to agree with this assumption.

A recent examination of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (USA)
website revealed over 40 independent research studies which all tell
a different story.

According to this research, regular marijuana use can result in
dependence, as well as memory difficulties, attention problems, lower
motivation and co-ordination and balance difficulties. Regular pot
smokers, on average, miss more days of work, than non-users, often
due to respiratory illnesses and weakened immune systems.

Joe Palumbo, a recovered drug addict and speaker, has stated, "The
worst drug I ever did was pot ... because it led to all the rest ...
and it is addictive." This dependence is developed as THC (the
psychoactive chemical in marijuana and hashish) bonds to dopamine
receptors in the brain and lessens the natural supply of dopamine
(our "natural high" hormone), making the user feel more depressed
when the drug wears off.

My greatest concern is for young people who believe they are not
harming themselves through pot use, especially since so many adults
are promoting legalization and openly using. Schools struggle to work
with some students who are less motivated, with memory, retention and
attention problems and half asleep in classes. I would guess that
employers are not too keen to hire workers who exhibit these same
pot-related symptoms.

As adults, we need to promote and model healthier choices and insist
that future election campaigns are used to promote serious political
parties, not psychoactive drugs, especially to our children.

Mike Robinson, Woodstock