WRITER'S PREDICTION MAY BE COMING TRUE

Brave New World's prophesy of a world pacified with a drug called SOMA
could be coming true.

The Senate committee's report on illegal drugs has recommended that any
person over 16 years of age should be able to grow or buy as well as use
marijuana (cannabis).

The THC in the marijuana stimulates the brain cells to release a chemical
called dopamine.

Until now, the courts have ruled in the numerous charter trials that making
it legal would "not protect Canadians from harm". One judge has stated
that cannabis could start "the spread of multi-drug use by stimulating a
desire for drug experience."

Canada is giving up on prevention as an intelligent method of control and
may go the way of Holland with its "harm reduction." Holland now has a
rise in criminal organizations.

Marijuana affects the respiratory system, causing chronic bronchitis and
coughing. It harms the immune system and increases cancer of the head,
neck and lungs.

Contrary to popular belief that marijuana is not addictive, the committee
reports that marijuana is an addictive drug - 10 per cent of the users
become addicted. Marijuana use slows reaction time in drivers and affects
their ability to stay in their own lane.

In an eight-year study done in B.C., 29 of 227 drivers killed in automobile
accidents had THC in their bloodstream. There is no quick roadside test
available, a blood test is the only reliable method. The police have great
concerns about relaxing the laws.

One study done involving pilots using a flight simulator found that all 10
pilots made errors in landing and missed the runway completely after
smoking marijuana.

Because smoking pot induces depression and anxiety, research is pointing to
suicide as one of its fatal effects.

The Senate recommendation that any citizen older than 16 years should be
able to grow their own marijuana for their own use "so long as it is not
sold for consideration or exchange in kind or other and not advertised or
promoted in any other way."

A general aim of the bill is "to regulate the use and trade of these
substances" at its "duly licensed distribution centres."

If the bill follows the Senate committee's recommendation, there could be
tremendous problems in enforcing this legislation.

Are we at all concerned about protecting the sensitive minds of the young
people? I recommend that we all find out more about changes to our drug
laws, then let our MPs and prime minister know what we think.

Farlie Paynter,
Westbank