cannabisnews.com: Young 'See Law Change as Green Light for Cannabis'





Young 'See Law Change as Green Light for Cannabis'
Posted by CN Staff on July 30, 2002 at 20:47:59 PT
By Rebecca Smithers, Education Correspondent
Source: Guardian Unlimited
Teachers yesterday criticised the government for sending out "mixed messages" to youngsters over drug use through its controversial reclassification of cannabis earlier this month. Teenagers were now overtly smoking the drug, they claimed, mistakenly believing it was now legal and on a par with alcohol and cigarettes. Delegates at the annual conference of the Professional Association of Teachers were also told by researchers how disaffected youngsters were even turning to hard drugs such as crack cocaine and heroin because of low self-esteem caused by failure at school. 
A former teacher and drugs researcher, Jane Lovey, told delegates at the conference in Telford that drug use invariably started with cannabis. But she said home secretary David Blunkett's reclassification of the drug had sent out mixed messages because some thought they could use the drug in public without fear. Mr Blunkett reclassified the drug earlier this month from B to C, taking away police officers' right to automatically arrest those found in possession of small amounts. Later Mrs Lovey said: "Kids have interpreted what the Home Office said as cannabis now being legal, and the same as cigarettes or alcohol. Schools are very vigilant about drug use on their premises, but I've walked past kids overtly smoking cannabis away from school." Peter Gemmell, a Derbyshire supply teacher, told the conference: "We hear a great deal about the effects of the drug culture upon our society but are we confident that the present government policies will succeed in tackling the issue?" Last night the Home Office defended its move. A spokesman said: "We want to make sure that the correct message is put across and we have done everything we can to do that. It is important to realise the fact that cannabis is still illegal and you can still be arrested for smoking it. "The message we want to send out is that all drugs are harmful, but some drugs are much more harmful than others. We need to concentrate on those drugs that cause the most harm." Mrs Lovey, who has carried out extensive research on drugs use as well as work on pupil exclusion for the University of Cambridge, said low esteem caused by failure at school and peer pressure were together a powerful influence in encouraging youngsters of all ages to turn to both hard and soft drugs. Low grades at school did not help the confidence of children who in many cases were already disadvantaged, coming from families "with generations of lack of self-esteem", she went on. She was proposing a motion - later passed by delegates - suggesting that "drug education has become an Aunt Sally because the profession cannot cope with the reality". She told the conference: "There is a very strong link between drug use, and obsession with drugs, exclusion from school, or disaffection within school. "There is no doubt that for many pupils, for whom school has little joy to offer, their first experience of smoking cannabis, crack cocaine or heroin is a wonderful one." Special Report: Drugs in Britain: http://www.guardian.co.uk/drugs/0,2759,178206,00.htmlSource: Guardian Unlimited, The (UK)Author: Rebecca Smithers, Education CorrespondentPublished: Wednesday, July 31, 2002Copyright: 2002 Guardian Newspapers LimitedContact: letters guardian.co.ukWebsite: http://www.guardian.co.uk/Related Articles:Brits and Drugs - Special Report: The Nationhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13583.shtmlCannabis Trial Stubbed Outhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13539.shtmlPot Users Relax with New Lawhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13410.shtmlBritain To Let Pot Smokers Off Lightlyhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13384.shtml
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Comment #3 posted by kaptinemo on July 31, 2002 at 08:23:58 PT:
Robbie, the nails have expired...
...from Stossel's merciless pounding on them.He didn't have time to cover all the bases, with so much material the program had to be shortened. But what was so important was that he juxtaposed the statements of the antis' goals...with the reality of their actions. In short, Stossel pointed out the one thing antis have always feared ever being illustrated in a way any sheeple could understand: The Great Disconnect.All the high-faluting rhetoric was compared with the actual effects of drug prohibition. And were 'found wanting'. The antis must really be hopping mad after the last two nights.Unfortunately, he didn't go into things like the US Military and police killing children in border drug patrols and botched raids on drug houses where there were no drugs. That would have been a razor sharp sword that would have cut the antis to the bone. Because with all their histrionics about 'saving the children', this would have cut their tirades to shreds. I hope that Stossel doesn't take too long in his coming up with a sequel program. A few more torpdeoes like that one and the anti ship is doomed.
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on July 30, 2002 at 21:11:14 PT
Robbie 
It was excellent. You don't want to miss one minute. 
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Comment #1 posted by Robbie on July 30, 2002 at 20:51:48 PT
What did anyone think about the Stossel thing?
I'm on the left coast, and it hasn't aired here yet.
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