cannabisnews.com: Marijuana Abusers





Marijuana Abusers
Posted by CN Staff on December 14, 2002 at 15:40:20 PT
By John P. Walters
Source: New York Times 
To the Editor:Re: Bill Keller's Nov. 30 column about drug policy:The increase in the number of people needing treatment for marijuana is not a function of "more aggressive law enforcement." The data derive from applying the diagnostic criteria of the American Psychiatric Association to responses from the National Household Survey of Drug Abuse.
Fully 62 percent of the need for treatment is due to marijuana use. Likewise, trends in drug-related emergency department episodes tell the same story. Marijuana now surpasses heroin as a reason for an emergency visit. No responsible public official can ignore these facts.Those sentenced for drug violations are overwhelmingly traffickers and those with extensive criminal histories, including crimes of violence.Those for whom marijuana possession is their most serious offense represent less than one-half of 1 percent of all state drug offender inmates. JOHN P. WALTERSDirector, Office ofNational Drug Control PolicyWashington, Dec. 10, 2002Source: New York Times (NY)Author: John P. WaltersPublished: December 15, 2002Copyright: 2002 The New York Times Company Contact: letters nytimes.com Website: http://www.nytimes.com/ Related Article:Reefer Madness - Bill Kellerhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14857.shtml
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help




Comment #19 posted by The GCW on December 18, 2002 at 20:54:42 PT
Here is some of the effects of comparing 
 heroin to cannabis.HEROIN DEATHS RISE DRAMATICALLY IN MASS. 
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n2283/a10.html?397The Tzar was saying that cannabis is the leading cause of drug related emergency room visits. The above story seems to indicate that H is in reality a deadly problem, more so than Cannabis.I think America’s discredited drug Czar is confusing citizens including kids, by distorting the facts, in order to attack cannabis no matter the outcome. Forcing citizens into unneeded and unrequested treatment for cannabis use takes up space heroin addicts desperately want and need, yet find unavailable.  Comparing cannabis to Heroin and indicating that Cannabis is a bigger problem, is unacceptable. 
 
Part of the heroin problem may be attributed to teaching that cannabis is as bad as heroin. In fact both cannabis and heroin are schedule 1 substances, mostly because Congress fails to add credibility to Americas drug laws. So We get more rather than less, needless deaths.It is like politicians just don’t care for the Truth, no matter how many deaths are attributed to the lies.John P. Walters must resign, now. There is a grave difference between cannabis and heroin, and Walter doesn't know it.(That's John "Pee" Walters)
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #18 posted by John Tyler on December 15, 2002 at 06:58:37 PT
Newsweek mag.
I saw a brief article in Newsweek mag. now on the news stand. It said that Congress was not happy with the results of the Drug Czar latest ad campaign and plans to withhold funding for the next budget. Basically, Congress thinks this ad campaign is a failure and a waste of money.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #17 posted by JR Bob Dobbs on December 15, 2002 at 05:06:29 PT
LTE
Sirs,  When John Walters says, "Marijuana now surpasses heroin as a reason for an emergency visit," he is distorting the facts. If someone who has smoked marijuana is hit by a drunk driver and goes to the emergency room, and they tell the staff truthfully what they had been doing, it becomes a checkmark in the box, and John Walters can falsely claim the marijuana was the reason for the visit.  I defy John Walters to name one person who has died from merely smoking too much marijuana. There are many people who have died indirectly over marijuana - Clayton Helriggle, Tom Crosslin and Roland Rohm, to name three recent examples - but they all died from gunshot wounds caused by the anti-marijuana police. Others, like the victims at the Carnegie Deli, were murdered by criminals. Criminals can only turn a profit in this business because the government grants them a monopoly. The war against marijuana is far more dangerous than the plant itself ever could be. John Walters needs to stop waging a war against the people who pay his salary.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #16 posted by AlvinCool on December 14, 2002 at 22:43:57 PT
Just another letter to an editor
To the Editor:I'm going to refer to a movie named "Meet Joe Black". In it Anthony Hopkins explained, as chairman of the board, to other board members why they should not merge with a larger news syndicate. The explanation, boiled down, was that if all major news outlets received their news from only one source what was to stop that source from making their own news? From stating the facts in such a way that all news was reported in the same fashion, thus distorting facts so that our nation was controlled by a news media. I'm sure you can see where I am headed.Mr. Walters "Office of National Drug Control Policy" recently went to court to try to circumvent federal law so that they can run misleading and pathetic ads targeting marijuana users and not say that our tax money is actually sponsoring them. He cites that saying the ONDCP created the ad makes it less effective and he is correct in saying that. The problem is why it makes the ads less effective and his letter rebutting Bill Keller's Nov. 30 column is the reason. Mr. Walter's knows that he has little to no credibility with the American people and knows that his ads represent lies and deception on the worst scale. If Mr. Walters told the whole truth people would respect him, his message will be well received and he would be proud to put the name of his office on them. An example is one of his current ads that shows two men discussing the fact that terrorists make money selling drugs with one man not wanting to believe it but giving facial expressions that he "finally gets it". Anyone with a brain knows that terrorists are going to make money from any segment of any market that gives a fast return on the dollar. Mr. Walters just conveniently forgot to mention that ending marijuana prohibition would stop them from making money on marijuana. It's no secret why Canada is thanking him for his opinions but disregarding what he says, except for their law enforcement that is clamoring for tough laws that support foreclosure of property. Modern piracy.People seeking treatment for marijuana addiction? Do the American public a favor and try to do some actual investigative reporting. We all know that you will find the people going to treatment for marijuana addiction do so at the end of a gun barrel that shoots jail sentences and reform schools.  Marijuana that is 30 times more potent? A true blessing as people will now only have to use a tiny amount for relaxation saving lungs. And if they use a large amount, they just go to sleep. From what Mr. Walters says it's everywhere at 30% THC but still I have not seen a single person die. Notice how the ONDCP NEVER mentions vaporizers, why is that?Makes you psychotic? Actually read closer and what the studies really say is that if you are genetically inclined to be psychotic marijuana will make that defect glaringly apparent. I can accept this and it allows us to use marijuana as a litmus test to see if someone has that problem, then get them help. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #15 posted by Toad on December 14, 2002 at 22:17:05 PT
John Walters has smoked before
It is rumored that John Walters smoked his Priest's pole.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #14 posted by FoM on December 14, 2002 at 21:54:36 PT
Hi afterburner 
We can't upload pictures on cannabisnews.com We don't have that feature but on http://www.cannabis.com/ you can. I registered FoM years ago on Cannabis.com and I didn't know there was a waiting period but there very well could be now.Looking forward to seeing them!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #13 posted by afterburner on December 14, 2002 at 21:40:12 PT:
Toronto SUN pictures scanned successfully. 
I scanned the front page of The Toronto SUN and most of page 4 with the picture of MP Paddy Torsney into two jpeg files and registered at cannabisnews.com. Now, I just have to wait until the registration is verified within 24-72 hours. Then, I can upload the pictures. They are a little cropped due to the size of my scanner.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #12 posted by Trystan on December 14, 2002 at 20:08:14 PT
bad print
 The second sentence of the first paragraph kinda makes the assement look legit. Unless someone is paying attention and reading slowly instead of skimming the article, one might think the American Psychiatric Association was the one that came up with that. Or it could even quoted as "The data derive from ... the American Psychiatric Association ...". 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #11 posted by FoM on December 14, 2002 at 18:04:40 PT
Heroin versus Cannabis
Imagine a person doing heroin for let's say a month a few times a day and the same with a person who would consume cannabis. Then they both stop. Cold Turky. Which one will need help? We know the withdrawal from narcotics is very bad but the cannabis consumer would be a little bummed out because he or she liked the effects that cannabis produces but they wouldn't be in pain! Heroin is one dangerous drug. Cannabis is not!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #10 posted by The GCW on December 14, 2002 at 18:04:11 PT
Do fellow activists (GCW's) see this?
Walters may have just tripped himself good.The subconscious message to kids is that heroin is less of a problem than cannabis.This seems like Walters has taken a step that even his ilk will back away from. Cannabis is more harmful than heroin.We can not, I repeat, WE CAN NOT ALLOW AN AMERICAN LEADER TO IMPLY IN ANY MANNER THAT HEROIN IS LESS OF A PROBLEM THAN CANNABIS.The media must be made aware of this viewpoint!!!!!&!The man is like senile, and loose, more than ever.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #9 posted by The GCW on December 14, 2002 at 17:54:20 PT
And what is the message to children?
Cannabis is more harmful than heroin.Kids, do not buy into any concept that cannabis is anywhere comparable to heroin, regardless of what one of Our government leaders says. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #8 posted by CorvallisEric on December 14, 2002 at 17:51:38 PT
Whaaaat ?
The increase in the number of people needing treatment for marijuana is not a function of "more aggressive law enforcement." The data derive from applying the diagnostic criteria of the American Psychiatric Association to responses from the National Household Survey of Drug Abuse.He's trying to say that you can make a psychiatric diagnosis from a few check marks on a survey form? And that this "diagnosis" is the basis for saying that someone needs treatment?On the other hand, Walters comes across as a bit of a pedantic bore in addition to having little credibility. He may hurt more than help his cause with those outside his little circle of believers.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #7 posted by Nuevo Mexican on December 14, 2002 at 17:37:09 PT
Here's a great article describing the history.....
of prohibition and how we got where we are today:
Race Class and the War on Drugs 
http://www.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=223048&group=webcast
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #6 posted by FoM on December 14, 2002 at 16:43:54 PT
Question
Does anyone know a nurse or doctor that works at a hospital that could find out about marijuana versus heroin emergency room visits? I don't mean on record but just an inquiry.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #5 posted by Nasarius on December 14, 2002 at 16:38:37 PT
How long...
can Walters keep lying and still get published?"Marijuana now surpasses heroin as a reason for an emergency visit."
As everyone keeps pointing out, this is a gross misinterpretation of the data.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #4 posted by The GCW on December 14, 2002 at 16:36:57 PT
Walters represents
The living Reefer Madness in the flesh.And likewise, when the urine suckers request Your urine, give them $4.20 worth.And You know how much more desirable urine is if it contains any THC. Maybe they are aware of the value of good THC urine, of course I prefer getting My THC directly from the fresh plant matererial, instead.It is similar with oats. I prefer the fresh oats instead of oats after the horse has extracted them. Ha haaaa.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #3 posted by p4me on December 14, 2002 at 16:14:05 PT
The New York Times will print your lies Walter
You probably will buy a full page ad in the Sunday edition with taxpayer money to say that you do not engage in propaganda. Get that bribe money in and they will print anything you tell them. Send them some money and don't act like its yours, asshole. Goddamn John P. Walters, His Wholeyass. Wholeyass is spelled correctly because I made it up.I did a $4.20 today for me and a $4.20 for kerosine for a friend. I am up to 6. And you?1
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #2 posted by WolfgangWylde on December 14, 2002 at 15:58:47 PT
Every time someone in the ER merely...
mentions marijuana, it is put down as a marijuana related visit in the statistics book. Surely Walters knows this, and is betting on hoodwinking an ignorant public (a safe bet I'd say).From MarijuanaNews.ComThe truth is that the numbers cited have nothing to do with the “cause of emergency room visits.”The numbers represent drug “mentions” by patients. Emergency
room visitors are asked about all of the drugs that they have used. Up to five drugs may be “mentioned” on the appropriate reporting form. Thus, when heroin addicts go to a hospital seeking treatment for problems with heroin and they report that they have also used marijuana, it will be noted, even though it has nothing to do with the cause of the visit. In fact, there were only 110,512 mentions of marijuana for 2001, and 75% of those involved mentions of other drugs. This means that there were only about 25,000 marijuana-only mentions out of the 638,484 "drug-related hospital emergency department visits." This was just one quarter of one tenth of one percent of a total of almost one hundred million ER visits! For detailed analysis, see the link below.
 Cannabis Prohibition Prostitutes Science In New ER Data
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #1 posted by pokesmotter on December 14, 2002 at 15:48:56 PT:
this guy blatently lies...again
"Marijuana now surpasses heroin as a reason for an emergency visit." It is hard for me to talk about this without getting insanely profane. This man's ignorance and ongoing crusade against marijuana ridiculous. There is no way I am going to belive that people go to the hospital more for weed than heroin. That "62 percent that need treatment" are seeking it becuase accoring to the FBI's Uniform Crime Report, marijuana use has remained steady for years. Arrests have gone up dramatically, with over 85% of arrests for marijuana for posession only. These people opt for treatment instead of going to jail. I would too. If i got caught smoking pot I would go to treatment instead of jail. Wouldn't you?
[ Post Comment ]


Post Comment