Pubdate: Sat, 14 Sep 2013
Source: Advocate, The (Baton Rouge, LA)
Copyright: 2013 The Advocate, Capital City Press
Contact: http://www.2theadvocate.com/help/letter2editor.shtml
Website: http://www.2theadvocate.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2
Author: Else Pedersen

MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION A BAD IDEA

The Greater New Orleans Drug Demand Reduction Coalition was formed in 
2011 to develop and implement a comprehensive strategic plan using 
prevention, treatment and law enforcement to reduce the negative 
consequences of the use of illicit drugs and other drugs of abuse and 
the abuse of alcohol in the Greater New Orleans area, with a primary 
focus on youth and the prevention of youth substance abuse.

In response to the Sept. 6 front-page article, "Majority favor 
legalizing marijuana," the GNODDRC would like to call your attention 
to the following:

A recent report from the American Society of Addiction Medicine 
(ASAM) states it is not in the interest of public health to make 
marijuana more widely available and acceptable given its adverse 
consequences and its addiction potential.

Scientific research indicates that marijuana causes impaired brain 
development, poor school performance, loss of productivity and 
accidents in the workplace.

Data shows that drivers with marijuana in their systems are two times 
more likely to be involved in a highway accident. Epidemiology data 
from road traffic arrests and fatalities indicate that after alcohol, 
marijuana is the most frequently detected psychoactive substance 
among driving populations. Marijuana has been shown to impair 
performance on driving simulator tasks and on open and closed driving 
courses for up to approximately three hours (National Highway Traffic 
Safety Administration).

Marijuana is addictive. The levels of THC (marijuana's psychoactive 
ingredient) have never been higher (Office of National Drug Control 
Policy). Data shows that marijuana is now the most commonly cited 
drug for drug treatment admissions in Louisiana.

Facts such as these seem to indicate that legalization will cause a 
tremendous increase in marijuana use. Further, legalization simply 
sends the wrong message. Louisiana cannot afford the human and 
economic cost of marijuana legalization.

With a balanced, unbiased presentation of the facts regarding the 
complex issue of marijuana use presented to our citizens and 
legislators, we believe better decisions can and will be made that 
will benefit all of the citizens of Louisiana.

Else Pedersen, chair

Greater New Orleans Drug Demand Reduction Coalition

New Orleans
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