Pubdate: Fri, 07 Dec 2007 Source: Abbotsford Times (CN BC) Copyright: 2007 The Abbotsford Times Contact: http://www.abbotsfordtimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1009 Author: Eric Myrholm Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n1409/a04.html DRUG PROBLEM IS SERIOUS The Editor: In the Dec. 3 edition of the Times, letter-writer Bruce Symington takes me to task for stressing that we must protect our youth from drugs, even at a high cost. He has reinforced my thinking that drugs must not be legalized. I don't know where he got his information on the seven-to-one ratio police costs over harm reduction. The best way to keep our youth drug-free is the involvement of parents. Surveys show that parents are the biggest influence in their children's decisions about drug use. Parents must actively engage their children and help them make healthy decisions. I would be interested in hearing how Symington counsels or has counselled his children to encourage them to stay off drugs. There is a serious drug problem in this country. Marijuana is a much bigger portion of this problem than most people realize. In the U.S., more young people are now in treatment for marijuana dependency than for alcohol or for all other illegal drugs combined. Of all teenagers in drug treatment, about 60 per cent have a primary marijuana diagnosis. The average age of initiation for marijuana use generally has been getting younger. In 2001, 84 per cent reported first using marijuana between ages of 12 and 17. Are the above not reasons to keep our youth drug-free? Parents, schools, community and police must all work together to solve the youth drug problem. In another letter, Peter Christopher would like to know where I get my facts. Much of it comes from mfiles.org, lifesite.net, Drug Enforcement Administration [DEA], where they show their sources. Christopher also seems to feel that legalizing drugs would keep them out of the hands of youth. How has this worked out with tobacco and alcohol? Would not the criminal element switch their target to our youth? Let's think again. Eric Myrholm Abbotsford - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin