MARIJUANA ABUSE HURTS COMMUNITY

"Everybody is doing this."

"How is this hurting society?"

These quotes from an April 20 celebrant of marijuana use are illustrative
of naivete, ignorance or both. The more pertinent question is, "How is
marijuana use positively improving society?"

As health professionals who help students overcome substance abuse or
addictions, we would like to offer more thorough information concerning
marijuana use's potentially harmful effects.

Frequent marijuana use can contribute to problems with memory, problem
solving and learning. This sometimes directly lead to difficulties in an
academic environment. It can damage the lungs and result in respiratory
distress or other conditions. Marijuana might contain carcinogenic chemicals.

Like other mood-altering substances, marijuana use can result in impaired
mood or judgment, which can lead to other self-defeating behaviors and life
problems. These include impaired relationships, academic or career
stagnation, motivation problems, chronic health problems, family turmoil,
academic suspension or expulsion and incarceration.

We rarely see a student who uses only marijuana. Its use is often
associated with other substance abuse, which speaks to its addictive nature.

We have known otherwise bright, energetic students whose lives were
permanently altered because they were caught in the web of marijuana use.
Though there remains active debate about the addictive properties of
marijuana, we assure readers students can and do exhibit addictive
characteristics when abusing marijuana. The most fundamental addictive
process is continued use despite indications of negative, harmful and even
life-threatening consequences.

When a student continues to abuse marijuana while lying to family and
friends, while grades are plummeting, while they cannot function without it
because of depressive or anxious symptoms, then what are they if not addicted?

It affects our entire UA community when we lose a student because of
marijuana use. Our local community is directly impacted by any loss of
talent and promise. That is why we are working to help students develop
more positive methods, and there are many, of managing stress and "taking
the edge off."

Contrary to the statement above, most people, including students, do not
use marijuana. We are thankful for this reality.

Lee Keyes, director, UA Counseling Center; Dr. Pat Hubbs, Russell Student
Health Center; and Delynne Wilcox, MPH health educator at RSHC.