Pubdate: Mon, 25 Aug 2008 Source: Nelson Daily News (CN BC) Copyright: 2008 Nelson Daily News Contact: http://www.mapinc.org/media/288 Note: The newspaper does not have an active website. Author: Evelyn Kristiansen LET'S STEP OUT OF THE DARK AGES To the Editor: In response to the Rodman's letter to the editor - "Story on Shambhala 'disgusting'" printed August 21, 2008. At the onset let me make it very clear that I am not a proponent of illicit drug use. I am appalled by the Rodmans' references to "scores of international studies" which show "that one in ten marijuana smokers will get schizophrenia later in life." I would like to see printed results of these studies. This is just another insult to people who are having a difficult enough time coping with the symptoms of schizophrenia, and may never have smoked marijuana. "The media is full of more and more murders linked to schizophrenia." It is ignorant comments like these (Rodmans' and the media's) which perpetuate the stigma against the mentally ill. If the citizens of this great country would put more pressure on the "powers that be" to provide proper care for the mentally ill, the media might have less and less of these sensational stories to print. It is a shame that too many people are still living in the dark ages regarding mental illness. Knowledge dispels ignorance...which gives us a better understanding of those who may be different from us...which dispels fear...which helps us to live in harmony with people living with a devastating illness such as schizophrenia. Evelyn Kristiansen Nelson, B.C. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart