BEWARE THE AGENDA

A parent of another teenager handed me a book that she picked up at
the town hall meeting on marijuana use. The book was being distributed
freely to children and adults by an organization called Mothers
Against Misuse and Abuse. After looking at the book, I was appalled.
The book calls everything I have learned about marijuana a myth.

I'm not sure what the Mothers Against Misuse and Abuse agenda is, but
they are obviously not interested in protecting children from drug
abuse. The book is entitled "Marijuana Myths, Marijuana Facts."
Everything that I've been trying to teach my teenager about the harms
of its use was gone in an instant as my son waved the book in my face
and said " Look, mom, it was written by a M.D. and a Ph.D." In other
words, " It's fact ! "

I'm very disappointed that this organization would promote their
political or personal agenda when their actions could potentially harm
a child. It is obvious this organization has not seen what the use of
this drug can do to a child or a teen, or they are so wrapped up in
their own agendas that they have not considered the harm they may be
doing.

My opinions were formed, not from books or doctors, but from firsthand
experience in raising two children who have struggled with addiction,
watching their friends decline, going to NORCOR and seeing what
addiction does to the women in there, and working with the pastors at
God's Ranch in Tacoma, Wash., as they try to help drug addicted women
put their lives back together. Ask any women at the ranch their view
on marijuana and you will get an ear full.

One of the biggest obstacles to overcome when talking to the marijuana
user is deception. Part of the deception of the drug is that when they
are high it is not hurting them or anyone around them. They can't see
the decline in their own lives and how it affects the people closest
to them.

Again, I am disappointed with this organization. I recently heard a
local judge say that marijuana is just as bad as other drugs. It just
takes longer for the damage. I am in total agreement with him. He sees
it in his courtroom everyday.

Wendy Wham

The Dalles