FIGHTING A GOOD FIGHT

Pot, weed, grass, marijuana, hashish, hash, sinse-milla, or hash oil. It's
all the same, all are derived from the hemp plant (Cannabis sativa).

The Alabama Department of Public Safety Governor's Marijuana Eradication
Task Force spent two days along with the Jackson County Sheriff's Department
flying the skies and searching for the plants.

Tuesday, the Task Force found a total of 39 plants located in a field off
County Road 174 between Stevenson and the Flat Rock area.

"The plants ranged from 9 to 10 feet tall," said Agent Robert Saffold, of
the Alabama Bureau of Investigation.

By Wednesday afternoon, the task force had only found an additional 75
plants, relatively low numbers compared to what is usually yielded during
the eradication.

According to Jackson County Chief Investigator Chuck Phillips, two arrests
were made just off County Road 159 near Flat Rock.

"They were taken to DeKalb County Jail because the location was just across
the county line," Phillips said. "Ten plots were found behind the home with
a trail leading to the house. A two-year-old was removed from the home by
DHR."

While the weather in Jackson County has seemed to be good for marijuana
farmers, who need ample rain, the weather caused a delay in flying for the
helicopters used by the Task Force to spot the plant grown in fields and
woods of the area. According to Phillips, eradication usually takes place in
May or June when plants are small. The first attempt at eradication was
approximately one month ago, but rains delayed the flying.

The helicopters are used to spot the plant from the air, other members of
the task force are then given a location and go in either on foot or
four-wheelers to locate and remove the plants. Last year during eradication,
more than a thousand plants were found in the area.

. "Marijuana is not a benign drug. Use impairs learning and judgment, and
may lead to the development of mental health problems."

- - American Medical Association

. "Smoking marijuana can injure or destroy lung tissue. In fact, marijuana
smoke contains 50 to 70 percent more of some cancer causing chemicals than
does tobacco smoke."

- - American Lung Association

. "Teens who are high on marijuana are less able to make safe, smart
decisions about sex - including saying no. Teens who have used marijuana are
four times more likely to have been pregnant or gotten someone pregnant than
teens who haven't."

- - National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy

. "Marijuana use may trigger panic attacks, paranoia, and even psychoses,
especially if you are suffering from anxiety, depression or having thinking
problems."

- - American Psychiatric Association

. "Marijuana can impair concentration and the ability to retain information
during a teen's peak learning years."

- - National Education Association

. "Recent research has indicated that for some people there is a correlation
between frequent marijuana use and aggressive or violent behavior. This
should be a concern to parents, community leaders, and to all Americans."

- - The National Crime Prevention Council

Compiled by the Office of National Drug Control Policy