Pubdate: Thu, 23 Jun 2016
Source: Record, The (Kitchener, CN ON)
Page: A10
Copyright: 2016 Metroland Media Group Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.therecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/225
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v16/n410/a09.html
Author: Carol Mary Awrey

MARIJUANA USE CARRIES A COSTLY TOLL

Re: It's time to legalize marijuana - June 10

While the writer of this letter was smoking marijuana in Amsterdam 46 
years ago, I was working on the marijuana issue in Guelph.

I was very concerned about drug addiction and the results to one's 
health and welfare.

I opened a post office box in Guelph and published notices in the 
local and out-of-town newspapers wanting to know if anyone could 
inform me of any family sufferings endured because of marijuana use.

I received over 300 letters from grieving families: Everything from 
users becoming prostitutes, to dying by suicide, to advancing to 
harder drugs more harmful to their health.

Some robbed to get money to purchase what they couldn't afford, and 
ended up in jail. I heard of broken marriages and violence against 
families and children.

I took these letters to my MP at the time and asked him to take the 
letters to Parliament and tell the honourable members that if they 
voted to decriminalize marijuana it would be on their consciences, not mine.

The illusions of grandeur one experiences with the use of marijuana 
are very different from alcoholic stupor.

Perhaps when you reach the age of 81 as I am, a mother and 
grandmother, and have seen what I have, you will become drug-free.

We have MADD - Mothers Against Drunk Driving - what will we need 
next? Mothers Against Drug Addiction?

Carol Mary Awrey

St. Clements
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom