DRUG USE WARNINGS TO KIDS AREN'T BLUNT ENOUGH

To the Editor,

As an avid reader of RCMP Const. Beth Blackburn's drug awareness
column in the News Bulletin, I appreciate the knowledge she provides.

While reading a recent article by her on drug awareness, specifically
an article about marijuana, I was left with a question that I feel
really wasn't answered, as she was attempting to do.

The question was, marijuana is medicinal and herbal, so what's the
problem with it? She went on to explain the amount of THC levels in
street marijuana and then the amount of THC levels in marijuana
regulated by the government; street marijuana was higher than
goverment approved.

I was left thinking, okay, back to the question that was asked, so,
what's the problem?

I was expecting an answer explaining the problems of using marijuana,
especially that which has a higher THC level: what are the problems,
is it harmful, and if it really is a problem, how is it harmful? I
want to know what it does to a person that makes it so dangerous for
them to use?

I had hoped she would have explained it as fully as possible so
everyone can be aware of the problems arising from it.

As a former heavy user of marijuana, there would have been no
deterrent for me to stop by simply knowing THC levels. But it would
have if I had the knowledge, specific, plain, factual and - bluntly
put - of the harm it would be to me if I continued to use it.

Drug awareness has to go far beyond just knowing a few facts about the
ingredients in a substance used.

They may sound scary, but obviously as we see the use of drugs
growing, not scary enough. I applaud Beth Blackburn and her caring and
willingness to help in the problems of drug use.

Charlie Speck

Nanaimo