GATEWAY EFFECT

Dear Editor,

Thanks for publishing Elizabeth Wehrman's outstanding letter: "Need A
Change" (7-05-05).

Like Registered Nurse Wehrman, I have roots in the Midwest.

I grew up in Freeport and Rockford, Ill.

I'd like to add that I have never seen heroin, cocaine or
methamphetamine. However, I was offered free samples of these
dangerous drugs on several occasions, by my marijuana suppliers, when
I was a user of marijuana, which is more than 15 years ago.

(Yet, I've never been offered a free sample of whiskey or vodka when
buying beer or wine).

Like the vast majority of marijuana users, I was only interested in
marijuana and no other illegal drugs.

Fortunately, I turned down all offers of free samples of other drugs.
Unfortunately, many others do not--thus the gateway effect.

Best regards,

Kirk Muse

Mesa, Ariz.