LEGALIZING POT NO ANSWER TO SALVIA ABUSE

Re: "Save kids from salvia by legalizing pot," Letters, April 11

While there may be some efficacy to Moe Brondum's suggestion that
legalizing marijuana will discourage salvia use, it is still
unreasonable and does more to harm society than improve it; clearly
his judgment is "clouded" (excuse the pun).

Legalization and/or decriminalization opens the doors to the kind of
substance abuse already seen with alcohol consumption; need I remind
The Journal's readers of the amount of alcohol-related crimes and
damages that society must incur. Furthermore, we would give up the
stigma that marijuana is a harmful substance.

Research by the American Psychological Association (APA) has linked
marijuana use to increased risk of psychosis, brain-oxygen
deficiencies and further cognitive impairments.

One study even found that 100 per cent of those surveyed that have
used hard drugs were marijuana users initially.

The best method to stop illegal drug use is not to legalize another
substance, like Brondum suggests, but to crack down on those
responsible for soliciting it with an iron fist and to treat those who
abuse or are dependent on it.

Marc Kitay

Edmonton