Pubdate: Thu, 10 Oct 2002
Source: Reno Gazette-Journal (NV)
Copyright: 2002 Reno Gazette-Journal
Contact:  http://www.rgj.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/363
Author: Pedro Morales
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?162 (Nevadans for Responsible Law 
Enforcement)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?163 (Question 9 (NV))

NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL DIRECTOR TALKS ABOUT MARIJUANA INITIATIVE

Organized and well-funded campaigns lobbying for the legalization of 
marijuana pose one of the biggest threats to the safety and health of the 
nation's teenagers, said the nation's drug czar said Thursday night in Reno.

"By stimulating the use of drugs, we make all other institution of society 
more difficult to carry out," said John P. Walters, director of the 
National Drug Control Policy. "No school will be better with drug use, no 
family will be better with drug use."

Walters was a guest of two treatment organizations -- Join Together 
Northern Nevada and the Nevada Alliance for Addictive Disorders, Advocacy, 
Prevention and Treatment Services -- which oppose the Nov. 5 ballot 
question to legalize the possession of up to 3 ounces of marijuana for adults.

He cited figures that show that 59 percent of youths age 12 to 17 admitted 
into a drug treatment program had used marijuana. He also said that the 
younger the marijuana smoker, the more likely he or she would be dependent 
on marijuana as an adult.

His numbers also showed that delinquent behavior among youths was linked to 
frequent marijuana use.

"More crimes are stimulated by people under the influence of drugs, who 
become more violent, dangerous and paranoid," Walters told about 50 invited 
guests at the Airport Plaza Hotel.

Walters came to Reno after a Las Vegas appearance and had visited the state 
in July, saying Nevada shouldn't become the center for drug tourism. 
Walters said he decided to speak against marijuana initiatives in Nevada 
and other states because he feared lies perpetrated by supporters were 
gaining acceptance as the truth.

"We saw the problem that marijuana was massively underestimated in the 
public mind and if we didn't do anything it would grow," he said. "I do not 
believe the truth can be silenced and I do not believe they have truth on 
their side."

He said a common lie is that marijuana is not addictive, when in fact it 
is. He said marijuana on the street these days has higher levels of THC, 
which make it both more addictive and more detrimental to health.

Walters also dispelled critics' claims that taxpayers spend money for 
prisoners incarcerated for marijuana possession. He said almost that all 
inmates serving time for marijuana-related convictions were drug traffickers.

But Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, said the numbers 
presented by Walters were misleading. She cited a 2000 study by the 
Institute of Medicine commissioned by the Office of National Drug Control 
Policy, which said underage smoking and alcohol drinking typically precede 
marijuana use, and that marijuana is rarely the gateway drug.

Giunchigliani, who chairs the statewide steering committee for Nevadans for 
Responsible Law Enforcement, said supporters of Question 9 never said 
marijuana was not addictive, just that it is the least addictive of current 
illicit drugs.

"This does not advocate drug abuse, what is says is that we want to remove 
it from drug traffickers," said Giunchigliani.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager