DON'T BE DOPEY BY DOING DRUGS

STEVE Clements fears for the future of 15,000 York cannabis consumers
because he is not standing at the General Election (Letters, April 11).

As a therapist working with addictions, I too fear for them, and the binge
drinkers.

Actions have consequences and I believe there is a demographic timebomb of
cannabis and alcohol-induced senility plus other associated problems in
older people, waiting around the corner.

Why do so many people want to experience an altered state of consciousness
that involves substances that can be so very dangerous?

The best buzz of all can come from a life in which an individual thrives in
an environment getting emotional and physical needs met. These needs include
good nutrition, attention, love, security, meaning, control plus being
mentally and physically stretched.

We get self respect from taking personal responsibility for our actions.
There are too many people losing control of their lives by blaming their
actions on past events or other people.

There is nothing so confidence-building as to take personal control and
responsibility in a situation, by changing an emotional reaction into a
considered response.

The consequences of the ensuing actions are less likely to come back and
haunt you.

As a 55-year-old, the two memories I'm proud of are refusing cannabis and
giving up shoplifting when I was 18. Both these things happened when I
suddenly had a vision of the possible consequences.

I grew up.

Unfortunately, my emotional development regarding alcohol took longer and I
wince at some of those memories.

Rita Leaman,

The York Human Givens Centre,

St Saviour's Place, York.