LAWS HAVEN'T STOPPED KIDS FROM GETTING DRUGS

I have to disagree with letter writer Christine Logslett's statement that
marijuana is a "gateway to other drugs" (The Morning Mail, Aug. 13).

Although many heroin or cocaine users first tried marijuana, many others
did not; there is only a correlation, not causal effect shown. The vast
majority of those who have used marijuana do not move on to harder drugs.
This would dispute the notion of cause and effect.

Most users of heroin, crack, cocaine, etc., probably have drunk alcohol or
smoked cigarettes, but very few cigarette smokers or those who consume
alcohol go on to harder drugs. Under Logslett's logic, though, because
there is a correlation we should ban these products.

Those who think this is a good idea should recall the social effects of
Prohibition; they are many of the same effects that the banning of
marijuana has had, such as violence and corruption.

Making the use and possession of marijuana illegal has had little effect on
stopping kids from getting the drug, so such laws to stop kids from getting
it make little sense.

Colleen Kronquist; Cudahy