NICOTINE, THE REAL GATEWAY DRUG

Ottawa's efforts to decriminalize marijuana have raised many alarms on both
sides of the border.

Some law enforcement officials have warned about the threat posed to the
public by drivers whose judgement is impaired by weed. There are also
legitimate concerns marijuana is a gateway drug, a first stop on a slippery
slope to hard drugs such as cocaine and heroin.

But opponents of legalizing marijuana are missing something right under
their noses.

There already is a gateway drug out there and it's perfectly legal for any
adult to buy and use. It's called nicotine.

For years researchers have studied the psychology behind cigarette smoking
and have come up with some compelling evidence showing young people who
sneak smokes in the school washroom, can often be classified as "risk-takers."

Kids who take up smoking, many 12 years of age or younger, can't help but
know that cigarettes cause lung cancer, heart disease and a host of other
preventable illnesses, and yet they still light up.

Only a hermetically sealed environment would prevent them from not having a
clue about smoking's harmful effects.

Now the majority of cigarette smokers don't progress beyond nicotine, but
there's plenty of research to show smokers are more likely than non-smokers
to move on to marijuana and other drugs. So the argument posed by many
opponents of decriminalizing simple possession of marijuana is at least a
partial smoke screen.

Marijuana has its share of negative health impacts, including possible
intellectual impairment, but it is not classified as an addictive drug.

Teens do not get "hooked" on weed, as they can on nicotine.

Recent studies have shown marijuana can alleviate nausea and other side
effects related to cancer treatment. It can also improve the quality of
life for people suffering from various serious diseases.

Nicotine only kills, and, in too many cases, serves as a stepping stone to
other drugs.

If a youth takes up cigarette smoking on a dare, who can say that same
person won't try hash, prescription drugs or crack cocaine?

Stop more youngsters from taking up cigarettes and you might also make a
dent in marijuana and hard drug use.

Governments are finally getting serious with smoking and the horrific toll
it takes on society in the form of premature, agonizing death and lingering
illnesses. They've raised taxes, banned smoking in many public areas and
eliminated tobacco advertising and sponsorship.

Adult smokers, who have been enslaved to a destructive habit for decades,
are finding a host of resources in the community and through health
agencies, that will allow them to break free.

But smoking among teens, especially young girls, remains stubbornly high -
which may be bad news to everyone, except drug dealers.