BEWARE STEALTH IN DRUG DEBATE

IT JUST appears to go on and on, the 10-year drug law reform invasion
by stealth on the psyches of WA. Most do not understand the issues
but the legalisation stake-holders are very aware of the value of
permissive language which fuels the so-called debate.

Curtin University's Richard Midford, of the National Drug and Research
Centre, proclaims (Report, 1/3) that telling children "Just say no"
doesn't work. Well, we know that, Mr Midford, but then neither does
just say "Quit" or "Speed kills".

Likewise we understand that children will not change their behaviour
if we just said, "Slip, slop, slap", "Don't rubbish Australia" or "Belt up".

The passion of the drug law reformer is cannabis reform through harm
minimisation.

What self-respecting health professional would ever promote an
anti-tobacco campaign for adolescents using the "philosophy" of harm
minimsation? E.g. "Just smoke one or two cigarettes" or "Just don't
inhale or snort" or maybe "Save your money, don't give it to Benson &
Hedges - grow you own".

Then, of course, Mr Midford with anti-tobacco peak bodies is acutely
aware of their target and they really mean that parents and educators
shouldn't apply the same expectations to marijuana as they would to
tobacco.

The Australian Parent Movement of WA is committed to responsible drug
education according to unbiased international scientific research and
rehabilitation for the addict based on abstinence.

Should Mr Midford visit any WA mental health ward on a daily basis he
would witness patients who have tried marijuana and the tragedy caused
by this. In the words of leading British neuro-scientist Susan
Greenfield, "Marijuana users have reconfigured the network of subtle
connections in their brain - in effect they have quite literally blown
their brains".

I propose that should any person or organisation dispute this then
they should publicly challenge Professor Greenfield.

Geraldine Mullins

spokesperson for the Aust. Parent Movement of WA, Geraldton