CANNABIS USE IS DANGEROUS

ROBERT SHARPE of the Drug Policy Alliance in Washington is wrong when he
says that it is a mistake to assume that punitive cannabis laws deter use
(Letters, 27/9). In Australia, the National Drug Strategy Task Force on
cannabis reported in 1994 that the risk of a criminal sanction was a
deterrent to a significant proportion of young people.

Sharpe is wrong again when he describes cannabis as a relatively harmless
plant. Relative to what? Perhaps relatively harmless to a 100 per cent dose
of strychnine. Sharpe is wrong again when he says cannabis does not share
the addictive properties of tobacco. Both nicotine and cannabis increase
the level of dopamine in the brain. Drugs which increase dopamine lead to
addiction because the brain loses its ability to produce dopamine on its own.

These facts are drawn from a comprehensive review of the worldwide research
into cannabis, which shows overwhelmingly that cannabis is a dangerous
drug. It is more carcinogenic than tobacco; it causes psychotic disorder
(insanity) and schizophrenia; there is a strong correlation between
cannabis use and youth suicide. It also damages the immune system.

The Australian Parent Movement is right. West Australians must act to stop
the Gallop Government from further liberalising cannabis laws.

Liberalisation will lead to greater use and thus greater damage. As with
tobacco, legal drugs and poisons, the Government has a duty to educate and
protect its citizens from harmful substances. The answer is community-wide
education to promote an anti-drug culture backed by firm law enforcement of
criminal penalty for possession and use, the strongest possible penalties
for dealers, manufacturers, financiers and those involved in official
corruption at any level together with counselling and long-term residential
rehabilitation programs.

Additionally, there needs to be a mechanism, for those convicted of simple
possession or use, to have the criminal record struck out once they can
show themselves to be drug free on a continuing basis.

D. WHITELY

Mt Lawley.