Pubdate: Wed, 17 Apr 2013 Source: Honolulu Star-Advertiser (HI) Copyright: 2013 Star Advertiser Contact: http://www.staradvertiser.com/info/Star-Advertiser_Letter_to_the_Editor.html Website: http://www.staradvertiser.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5154 Author: Jo Breeden Page: A15 DRUG ADDICTS START WITH POT The people of Hawaii need education regarding the perils of legal marijuana. I am an addiction counselor and worked in a mainland alcohol and drug treatment center for 25 years, and 94 percent of patients I worked with started their chemical use with marijuana. After using the drug for some time and the drug wasn't working, patients would start using other drugs to get high. Along with increased chemical abuse, other crimes were committed, which included physical violence, murder and robbery. Do the people of Hawaii want an increase in crime and alcohol/drug addiction? If you don't want this inevitable outcome of legalizing marijuana use, then get involved and learn about addiction. Protest to your legislators who are supposed to be looking out for you rather than worrying about the next election. Don't rely on politicians to do the right thing. Get involved - help save Hawaii adults and children from addiction. Jo Breeden Kahuku - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom