Pubdate: Fri, 28 Jun 2002
Source: Otago Daily Times (New Zealand)
Copyright: Allied Press Limited, 2002
Contact:  http://www2.odt.co.nz
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/925
Author: John Caygill
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

DRUG USE

Despite decrying everyone else's supposed ignorance about substance use, in 
his recent pro-drug outburst ( ODT, 18.6.02), John Dolan passes up a golden 
opportunity to tell the truth about the adverse health effects of cannabis. 
It has similar long-term lung damage potential to tobacco, impairs mental 
and physical performance in the short-term, and should definitely not be 
used during pregnancy. A prospective cohort study of a large number of 
young people in Christchurch has shown dependency rates of nearly 10% by 
age 21, and an alarmingly strong association with the subsequent use of 
more hazardous illegal drugs.

John Caygill