Pubdate: Sun, 25 Jul 2010 Source: Times-Herald, The (Vallejo, CA) Copyright: 2010 The Times-Herald Contact: http://www.timesheraldonline.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/993 Source: Times-Herald, The (Vallejo, CA) Author: Lyndon E. Lafferty, Vallejo Referenced: Pot vs. Alcohol: What the Experts Say http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v10/n493/a07.htm Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion) DON'T LET THE MARIJUANA MYTH LIVE ON Letter writer Paul Armentano ("Pot vs. alcohol: What the experts say," June 26) is still spreading his misguided and dangerous myth that marijuana is a safe drug, and he cites two stand-up comedians to prove his point, both experts: President Nixon and Art Linkletter. Sir, when I challenged you in person, about one year ago during your presentation in the coffee shop at the ferry building, you either would not or could not answer one simple question. I asked you if it was not true that research studies had confirmed that marijuana was a "gateway" drug, which in most cases resulted in the use of more toxic drugs, often in combination. You replied by saying something to the effect that marijuana was so easy to get, you could go outside and buy some in 15 minutes. True, I am not an expert, but your reply was too innocuous, way over my head. You then called on another guest, and I walked out. What is so dangerous about your rhetoric is that many young people might actually believe you, and this would be tragic. Your expertise on this matter is skewed beyond belief. Are you aware of the methodology used in the testing procedures of the Australian study in 2007? Do you know whether or not the tests were concluded based on the primary drug involved, or were they thorough in trace toxins as well? And, when you cite research studies that are 21 years obsolete in one case and 12 years obsolete in another, you have impeached your own credibility. Also, did the French study fail to mention the second of three "distinct categories," or did you selectively choose not to use it? But the most egregious of those studies you cited is the World Health Organization. These are the very same people who have been recommending we eradicate, exterminate, 25 percent of our current world population to prevent a world hunger disaster in the not too distant future. And they are still trying to find a way to do it. Even this analysis was 15 years obsolete. In your rationale, you are saying that in the matter of "Russian roulette," one bullet in the cylinder is marijuana and two is alcohol. In reality, for many reasons I have no space to enumerate, the facts of all current research prove beyond any doubt that marijuana is the most pervasive and most dangerous drug in the world today, that it is positively the gateway drug leading to severe alcoholism and other drugs. A recent American Medical Association report states that there are more teens in treatment each year for marijuana dependence than for alcohol and all other illegal drugs combined, and the trend is increasing. Adolescent treatment admissions were 23 percent in 1992 and 64 percent in 2002. In 2002, a study showed t hat 55 percent of all motorists stopped for reckless driving were under the influence of alcohol and 45 percent of the 55 percent tested positive for marijuana. Surely there is no pride in our young students smoking pot in the locker rooms and bath rooms in our schools, walking down the railroad tracks to their death in a state of lethargic stupefaction. It is happening all too often. Remember the Titanic? It was designed and built by hundreds of "experts" -- and it sank with perfection. With your expert status and credentials, you know better than most that if marijuana were decriminalized, thousands more would get wasted, more people would become dependent on alcohol, cocaine and heroin, and crime would increase due to the more illicit drugs. And this is exactly what the major drug cartels are hoping for, and pot growers fear. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake