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. 
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart