Pubdate: Tue, 11 Mar 2003 Source: West Australian (Australia) Copyright: 2003 West Australian Newspapers Limited Contact: http://www.thewest.com.au Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/495 Author: Geraldine Mullins Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n1594/a01.html BEWARE STEALTH IN DRUG DEBATE IT JUST appears to go on and on, the 10-year drug law reform invasion by stealth on the psyches of WA. Most do not understand the issues but the legalisation stake-holders are very aware of the value of permissive language which fuels the so-called debate. Curtin University's Richard Midford, of the National Drug and Research Centre, proclaims (Report, 1/3) that telling children "Just say no" doesn't work. Well, we know that, Mr Midford, but then neither does just say "Quit" or "Speed kills". Likewise we understand that children will not change their behaviour if we just said, "Slip, slop, slap", "Don't rubbish Australia" or "Belt up". The passion of the drug law reformer is cannabis reform through harm minimisation. What self-respecting health professional would ever promote an anti-tobacco campaign for adolescents using the "philosophy" of harm minimsation? E.g. "Just smoke one or two cigarettes" or "Just don't inhale or snort" or maybe "Save your money, don't give it to Benson & Hedges - grow you own". Then, of course, Mr Midford with anti-tobacco peak bodies is acutely aware of their target and they really mean that parents and educators shouldn't apply the same expectations to marijuana as they would to tobacco. The Australian Parent Movement of WA is committed to responsible drug education according to unbiased international scientific research and rehabilitation for the addict based on abstinence. Should Mr Midford visit any WA mental health ward on a daily basis he would witness patients who have tried marijuana and the tragedy caused by this. In the words of leading British neuro-scientist Susan Greenfield, "Marijuana users have reconfigured the network of subtle connections in their brain - in effect they have quite literally blown their brains". I propose that should any person or organisation dispute this then they should publicly challenge Professor Greenfield. Geraldine Mullins spokesperson for the Aust. Parent Movement of WA, Geraldton - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake