MARIJUANA CAN BE JUST AS DAMAGING AS ALCOHOL

After reading Linwood's letter, I had no choice but to respond. She wrote
that she has never seen a person high on pot and throw their life away
because they can't function without it. However, as an 18-year-old
attending high school, I'd have to strongly disagree.

I know dozens of kids at my school alone who have thrown away their lives
because of the use of marijuana, kids who had outstanding grades until the
use of pot took over their lives, and they became obsessed by it. While I
am not supporting the use of marijuana, I felt as though it was obscene for
Linwood to say that no one has ever thrown their life away because of pot.

I am also aware of many people who have been in automobile accidents
because of marijuana use.

The reason many accidents are not reported due to the use of pot is because
there is no "breathalyzer" to detect pot on people who are high. The only
way to test drug levels is by blood and urine samples, which police cannot
always obtain. I also disagree with her comment about alcohol being more
obtainable than marijuana. Pot is extremely easy to get, as long as you
have the money. You can get it from anyone, at any time.

Kate Sweitzer Portmaster Drive St. Catharines

Editor's note: In order to preserve space for letters about other topics,
we are drawing to a close the debate about marijuana.