Pubdate: Thu, 03 Feb 2005
Source: West Australian (Australia)
Copyright: 2005 West Australian Newspapers Limited
Contact:  http://www.thewest.com.au
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/495
Author: Desmond Hoad

HARD FACTS

I would like to explain to the WA president of the Austraian Medical
Association, Paul Skerritt, the difference between marijuana use leading to
harder drugs and the likelihood that one bad habit will necessarily lead to
another.  Tobacco use does not lead to alcoholism; smoking does not lead to
gambling; marijuana does not lead to heroin use.

However, a person with any bad health habit is likey to have some form of
character flaw which leads them to be indifferent to their health. Because
of this indifference, they are prone or susceptible to any or all of the bad
health habits available in our wonderful modern society.

Also, the person selling the marijuana would be a poor business person if
they didn't also sell the top of the range drugs.  They are just like car
dealers who try to sell you the most expensive model.  Some people will
succumb to the temptation.

Marijuana use leading to harder drug use is no more likely than listening to
Kylie Minogue's singing leads you to a form of tone deafness, despite the
fact many of the people going to Kylie's concert could prove to be tone
deaf.

Desmond Hoad,

Palmyra
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MAP posted-by: Josh