Pubdate: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 Source: Langley Times (CN BC) Copyright: 2009 Langley Times Contact: http://www.langleytimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1230 Author: Katrina McEachern Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n618/a09.html MARIJUANA USE CAN AFFECT BEHAVIOUR Editor: I am writing to respond to the letter written by Sharon Parker in last Friday's (June 12) edition of The Times. After reading the opinion expressed in the letter "Marijuana prohibition does not make sense," I feel obligated to share my view and speak up for those who have been affected by someone else's marijuana use. There is no question that alcohol is easily accessible and more acceptable in society than marijuana is. But just as there are those who choose to abuse alcohol, there are people who choose to abuse their use of marijuana. When it comes to those who choose to have more than just a few tokes of pot, marijuana abuse can cause just as many problems and consequences as alcohol if not more, because it is illegal. Since Parker claims to not know a single person who has been affected by someone else's marijuana use, how can she state "people who smoke pot do not become violent and abusive?" I've witnessed the change in a person's behaviour when that person is high, and the effects on those surrounding them over time, and the problem is out there. I am one person whose life has been greatly affected by someone else's abuse of marijuana. My two-year-old daughter became another person affected, when her father and I separated last year after his marijuana addiction left our family financially unstable and emotionally depleted. His addiction interfered with our day-to-day living and put a huge strain on our marriage, and it stole the dreams we had both shared of a family. The people responsible for not passing a law legalizing marijuana must then be aware of families who are already being destroyed because of its misuse. What good could come from making it more accessible as a legal substance, thus making it available to more people and running the risk of a greater chance of misuse? Katrina McEachern, Langley - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom