MARIJUANA DESTRUCTIVE AMONG ADOLESCENTS

Re: "Shift in pot law plans annoys drug educator," Dec. 16.

Art Steinmann is right on the money. Physicians specializing in addiction
medicine regard marijuana as a relatively benign drug in adults, but state
that marijuana is a profoundly destructive drug for adolescents.

The School Trustees of British Columbia attempted to influence the federal
government on the differential effect of marijuana on youth, by motion of
our annual general meeting in 2000. Sad to say our efforts disappeared down
a black hole called Ottawa.

Is it really too late to intervene on behalf of our youth? Marijuana use is
creating a class of students who are compromising their short-term memory,
their initiative and their cognitive abilities -- not exactly the recipe
for academic success.

Ted Cooper

Powell River