CHRETIEN SHOULD KNOW BETTER

RE: 'Chretien says he might try marijuana when it's legal' (Oct. 4)

It's astonishing that our prime minister is joking about trying marijuana:
"Perhaps I will try it when it will no longer be criminal. I will have my
money for my fine and a joint in the other hand."

As a grandparent, he should know that encouraging children to avoid
addictions and attain their full potential begins with exemplary behaviour.

Perhaps Chretien should understand the effects of his proposed action, as
summarized by Dr. James Dobson in his book, Bringing up Boys, where he cites
a study by Dr. Harold Voth, senior psychiatrist: "First, five marijuana
cigarettes have the same cancer-causing capacity as one hundred and twelve
conventional cigarettes.

"Second, that part of the brain that allows a person to focus, concentrate,
create, learn, and conceptualize at an advanced level is still growing
during the teenage years. Continuous use ... over a period of time will
retard the normal growth of those brain cells.

"Third, a study conducted at Columbia University revealed that female
marijuana smokers suffer a sharp increase in damage to DNA, the genetic
code. It was also found that reproductive eggs are especially vulnerable to
damage by marijuana.

"Fourth, a second University of Columbia study found that people who smoked
a single marijuana cigarette every other day for one year had a white blood
cell count that was 39 per cent lower than normal, thus damaging the immune
system and making the user far more susceptible to infection and
sickness.Smoking marijuana is a dangerous hobby."

I haven't seen a study of the health costs that will result from marijuana
decriminalization. I expect our leaders will be better informed and
leadership health-conscious by example.

Herman Faber,

Burlington