I read with interest and sadness the letter to NewsLanc about the young man who lost much of his life due to his drug addiction. While it is understandable that the writer, who had to support the addict, would not support the legalization of marijuana, which s/he believed led to a cocaine addiction, blaming pot for a coke addiction is off point.
The leading “gateway” drug has always been alcohol. Ask 100 addicts, including this writer, and all of us began with booze, not weed. Criminalizing users only turns users into criminals, which we are not. It is also dangerous to advocate policies based on emotions. Yes, the person described in the letter seems to have wasted a life, but do we want saddened and put out relatives (and in-laws) making policy? It’s like asking a person who had a relative killed if he supports the death penalty. He might, but society isn’t better off having decisions made on this emotional basis.
This country has spent far too much money, and lost far too many lives, treating addiction like it is a crime. Please, a little compassion for those of us who have to struggle to live with the added burden of drug addiction. Trust me, that kid didn’t grow up wanting to be a dependent drug addict. I know I didn’t.
The war on drugs really is a fallacy; a contradiction in terms. We can not legislate moral behavior as we have the right to judge for ourselves what is moral to each of us individually. This drug war policy empowers thugs with money, guns and wreaks havoc in our society; fills our jails with victims/innocent men and women struggling with emotional issues and addiction.
Marijuana has healing properties and many States are in the process of or have already decriminalized small amounts. Doctors write prescriptions for cancer, AIDS patients and for others suffering from serious illnesses. Hemp has a variety of uses: clothing, rope, etc. Was”Hempfield” was named for this purpose?
The official pharmaceutical industry sucks individuals in and over medicates with a wide variety of opiates – increasing dependency and addiction. Marijuana is not an addictive medicine. Alcohol is usually the catalyst for increased despair, separation of families and emotional turmoil. If you need help ~ you know it. Visit an AA group today and everyday.
Turn off the TV, the la-di-da music and focus on what really matters. It’s time to wake up!