Pubdate: Thu, 26 Jun 2014
Source: Windsor Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2014 The Windsor Star
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/501
Author: Jason Horn
Page: A6
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v14/n540/a02.html

CRASH NUMBERS SKEWED

Re: Most young, severely hurt crash victims high on pot, by Brian Cross, 
June 21.

Brian Cross manipulates statistics to create a sensational headline
and encourage fearmongering regarding the use of marijuana.

The article states that "every young person severely hurt in car
accidents two years ago" was using pot, and that "almost every young
person severely hurt last year" was also high on pot, but the
statistics state that only 21 per cent had been using two years ago,
(not every), and only 55 per cent last year (not almost every).

Coupled with this, the focus on percentages grossly skews the actual
numbers. There was actually a drastic decrease from 29 injuries in
2012, to 13 injuries in 2013.

Why does The Windsor Star feel the need to report that there is a very
alarming spike in use when there is actually over a 50 per cent
decrease in accidents? This aside, the article does not report as to
who was responsible for the accidents in question.

If four friends are driving together and the driver has not been
drinking or smoking pot, but his friends have been smoking pot, and a
drunk driver causes an accident and escapes unharmed while only the
passengers in the other car were injured, then it would appear that
the injured people are all high on pot, when the accident is actually
caused by a drunk driver.

Without the proper context, the information provided in the article is
utterly useless.

This amounts to wilfully deceitful reporting for the sake of
sensationalism and makes it appear as though The Windsor Star has some
sort of agenda regarding the use of marijuana.

It is also irresponsible to suggest that the message regarding drunk
driving has got through when the percentages of intoxicated persons is
62 per cent greater than the 55 per cent linked to marijuana.

Jason Horn, Essex, Ont.
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MAP posted-by: Matt