FIND A CURE FOR POT EPIDEMIC

I am tired of reading articles trivializing the illegal use of drugs
("Pot wars," March 14).

As a parent, son, brother of family members who have had to deal with
substance abuse I think the media and our politicians are becoming out
of touch with this growing epidemic. Pot is not a harmless drug at
all. It is a mind-altering drug and highly addictive if used for a
long period of time.

I have witnessed the pain and damage that drugs can inflict on
individuals, families and society in general.

All those who want to legalize drugs should be talking to the
families, social workers, nurses, doctors and police officers who have
to deal with the effects of this disease.

We need to wake up and find a cure to this problem before it's too
late. Pot is a gateway drug. How do you think some of our young men
and women end up on crystal meth and heroin? It started with a
harmless joint.

Danny Parker

Victoria