Pubdate: Wed, 24 May 2006 Source: Anchorage Daily News (AK) Copyright: 2006 The Anchorage Daily News Contact: http://www.adn.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/18 Author: Sam Pettie Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n631/a02.html?19574 PROBLEMS WITH MARIJUANA USE ARE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE USER, NOT DRUG I am responding to Jennifer A. Paton's letter of May 17, "Calling marijuana a natural drug ignores altered states it causes." Like many others who submit to their constant conditioning, that is the war on drugs, she believes much of the inaccurate information being pushed. I suggest doing a little reading. Throughout history, marijuana has had an intricate and intertwined relationship with humans. It provides food, shelter, clothing and relief from pain for many even today. And it is not an addictive substance. How is she going to compare the potency of marijuana, a plant, to over-the-counter and prescription drugs, which are synthetic chemicals? They're two different things. She stated, "Like any other drug addicts, those who smoke pot lie, cover, betray and can spend countless hours week after week neglecting and abandoning their families." This statement is most provoking because it shows a common attitude shared by many Americans, to hold the drug responsible, instead of the person. Lack of personal accountability is one of many ways our freedoms as Americans are being taken away. But let's get real, anyone who would do that to their family has problems that aren't caused by drugs. And it is equally as probable that a person like that might be better on the drug than not. SAM PETTIE Anchorage - --- MAP posted-by: SHeath(DPF Florida)