STRAIGHT UP APPROACH IS WHAT CHILDREN NEED

To the Editor:

RE: Local Kids Now Using Drugs Earlier Than Ever.

Kids see TV ads for drugs. Period pains, a sore tooth, diarrhoea,
headache, insomnia - everything can be treated with a drug.

They see funny beer and junk food ads every commercial break, and
liquor adds every half hour.

They see coffee ads which deliberately point out that their yummy
wares will "refresh," and get you moving in the morning.

We even run ads showing kids that if they aren't getting the vitamins
they need from actual food, they can always get it from a pill. If
they are a bit hyper in class, we don't take away their Game-Boy and
Ipod and sweet snacks - we give them Ritalin!

They see that marijuana is being prescribed by doctors for it's myriad
proven medical benefits, yet we bald-faced-lie to them and tell them
pot will cause cancer and schizophrenia and impotence and stupidity!
And then we tell them not to use drugs?!

The stupidity, absurdity, and hypocrisy in our culture just never
ceases to amaze me.

If you want to teach kids how to avoid drugs, try telling them the
straight truth for a change! A good place to start is the Educators
For Sensible Drug Policy website at: www.efsdp.org.

Russell Barth,

Federal Medical Marijuana License Holder

Former Federal Marijuana Party Candidate, Ottawa, ON