MARIJUANA BAN ENCOURAGES OXYCONTIN USE? RIDICULOUS

Regarding the letter from Carl Tuzroyluke ("Banning marijuana just
tempts kids to use more dangerous drugs," Oct. 4):

Let's see if I get it. Because of the "ban on marijuana," teens are
choosing alcohol or more dangerous drugs such as OxyContin (an
opiate). He asks if I would rather my "teenage offspring be smoking
weed or using OxyContin?" Well sir, I would rather my "offspring,"
your "offspring" and other teens not use marijuana. I personally do
not consider it safe, nurturing, nor supportive for anyone's future.

I am very concerned if Mr. Tuzroyluke, or others, believe that if
teens choose to smoke marijuana it will prevent them from choosing
other "illicit" drugs and prevent them from becoming addicted. He
writes supporting a belief that Hawaiian teens having to incur "the
ban on marijuana made 'ice' (methamphetamine) rampant in paradise."
Maybe if we don't ban tobacco from young children they won't smoke
marijuana when they're teens.

He concludes that, "The choice is yours." That it is, sir. Just say no!

David Eshbaugh

Anchorage