WHY BUST GROW-OPS? LET ME COUNT THE REASONS

Editor, The News:

In his letter of April 12, Alan Kidd of Abbotsford asks, "Why bust
grow ops?"

Some of the reasons are: Marijuana is an addictive drug, a health
hazard, a mind-altering drug.

Do our youth need easier access to this drug?

I would hope not.

National Drug Policy director Barry McCaffery told CNN:

"Among those who try marijuana at age 14 or younger, 8.9 per cent
became dependent on illicit drugs.

"In contrast, of young people who try it at 18 or older, just two per
cent become addicted to other drugs in later life.

"Young people may think they are experimenting, but as this study
shows, they are really gambling with their future"

As a result of a "twin" study, Michael Linsky of the Washington
University School of Medicine in St.Louis found the early user of
marijuana is two to five times more likely to go on to the use of
harder drugs, or become dependent on alcohol regardless of whether
they were identical twins or not.

A study from the University of California at Los Angles suggest
"smoking marijuana may be a greater cancer risk than smoking tobacco.
Also, the exposure to carcinogens is increased."

Spencer Recovery Centers Inc. states, in part, "tolerance to the drug
is another marijuana danger.

"Pot smokers must smoke much more of the drug to feel the same affect
that just a little used to provide.

"This leads to more intake of smoke, which can cause more damage to
the lungs and respiratory system.

"One of the biggest marijuana dangers can just be the loss of hope
from the frustration that you can't seem to quit on your own."

Dr.Sanjay Gupta of CNN refers to a study of 50,000 members of the
Swedish military that found marijuana use in earlier life actually may
lead to a 30 per cent increase in schizophrenia later in life.

An Australian study found that "boys and girls, particularly girls, were
more vulnerable to the symptoms of depression later on in life if they
were frequent or even daily marijuana users."

The funding for our police is funding is well-spent, and is only a
small portion of substance abuse cost to our health system. What is
the cost of ruined lives?

Eric Myrholm

Abbotsford