Pubdate: Tue, 14 Dec 2010
Source: North County Times (Escondido, CA)
Copyright: 2010 John Shannon
Contact: http://www.nctimes.com/app/forms/letters/index.php
Website: http://www.nctimes.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1080
Author: John Shannon

MIND-ALTERING DRUGS DO JUST THAT

In today's world, the uneducated person lags behind. Only a very
foolish person would do anything that might prevent him or her from
receiving a quality education. It has been proven, beyond a shadow of
a doubt, that mind-altering drugs affect a person's drive, maturity
and, most of all, the ability to learn. If you're young, it makes no
sense to use mind-altering chemicals, including weed, tobacco and
alcohol. The personality and emotional development of an individual
"freezes" at the time they begin using.

Legal drugs are OK and sometimes helpful after the brain has developed
and the brain becomes protected by a sheath that is growing around it.
This is age 24 for girls and age 26 for boys.

A stable personality comes from stable emotions. The use of
mind-altering chemicals such as alcohol and marijuana, before maturity
has developed, will significantly impact all aspects of an individuals
personality for a lifetime.

And, if you're in the category of young people who are now using
mind-altering drugs including weed and booze, it would be wise to seek
the direction of a trained professional. It's a son of a bitch to stop
- - and stay stopped - on your own.

John Shannon

Oceanside
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jo-D