cannabisnews.com: Pot Use Sky-High Pot Use Sky-High Posted by FoM on December 27, 2000 at 09:38:39 PT By Bill Kaufmann Source: Calgary Sun For the first time, marijuana has replaced alcohol as the most abused drug among Calgary youths seeking help from the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission.Last autumn, AADAC spokeswoman Nancy Snowball said it became apparent marijuana-abusing clients were outnumbering those seeking help from the agency for their alcohol use. "Pretty consistently, the biggest drug of choice has always been alcohol due to its social acceptability and legality," said Snowball. "It appears young people are now using marijuana more than alcohol ... marijuana has moved to the top of the list."AADAC's clientele could reflect the larger drug abuse situation and, in fact, only tell part of the marijuana story, said Snowball."There's probably a whole bunch more people who are using but not experiencing the consequences of it yet (and don't report to AADAC)," she said.Some substance abuse experts say a growing social tolerance for cannabis -- partly driven by the push to legalize its medicinal use -- as well as an abundant and high quality locally produced supply -- has bolstered the drug's popularity.The young age of many marijuana users -- combined with the unprecedented potency the drug has attained -- makes the trend a significant concern, said Snowball."It's not the same stuff it used to be -- it's stronger, therefore the impact of it is much higher," she said, adding the drug can be psychologically addictive."The earlier the introduction, the greater the chance it'll turn into a problem."AADAC is aware of youngsters 12 years of age who abuse marijuana "and there are younger people than that being introduced to it."The RCMP says much of the locally grown cannabis attains a THC content of 10-25% compared to about 6% two decades earlier.Police are fighting an uphill battle against sophisticated grow operations that have proliferated throughout Calgary -- fuelled by the lucrative cash return on the harvest, said Snowball.Note: AADAC says more teens addicted to marijuana than alcohol.Source: Calgary Sun, The (CN AB)Author: Bill KaufmannPublished: Wednesday, December 27, 2000Copyright: 2000 The Calgary SunAddress: 2615 12 Street N.E., Calgary, Alberta T2E 7W9Fax: (403) 250-4180Contact: callet sunpub.comWebsite: http://www.canoe.ca/CalgarySun/Forum: http://www.canoe.ca/Chat/home.htmlCannabisNews - Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #10 posted by kaptinemo on December 28, 2000 at 10:07:43 PT: BTW Some of our Northern Friends might have wondered at the inclusion of a Canadian in the American organization of the PFDFA. For that I apologize, but only partly. Antis are antis, regardless of what flag they claim. It matters not one wit what nationality an anti comes from, what language they speak, etc. All that counts is their actions: "By their works, ye shall know them." Amen! [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by kaptinemo on December 28, 2000 at 05:01:14 PT: And another thing... Isn't it odd that people like La Snowball prattle on ad nauseum about the supposed deleterious effects of cannabis without ever mentioning the facts?Facts like the singular lack of a painful hangover after indulging? (Perhaps La Snowball is a closet Puritan who believes that one should suffer pain and disease, like imbibers of alcohol do, as the price for intoxication?) Facts like having therapeutic REM sleep - which is of paramount importance to those suffering from chronic insomnia - after indulging at night, before bed? Facts like experiencing decreased blood pressure without toxic side effects from prescribed pharmaceuticals? General conviviality unmarked by alcohol-fuelled belligerance? Stress relief brought about by general relaxation? (Given that stress is one of the greatest sources of disease and injury in the developed nations of the world, you'd think La Snowball would appreciate its' therapeutic effects.) For someone so ostensibly concerned with the public weal, she sure seems awfully ignorant about the very beneficent substance she rails against. Typical for the antis.Ah, yes, there's lots of things that La Snowball would prefer remain buried under a pile of anti propaganda.Too bad - for her - that there's a lot of us who refuse to oblige her. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by kaptinemo on December 28, 2000 at 04:22:43 PT: A very specious argument Others here have already commented on the very obvious motivations of people like La Snowball; sheer greed. She sees an opportunity to stick her snout even further into the expected windfall of forced treatment. Treatment that will either be paid for directly by parents, or indirectly by *all of us*, courtesy of taxes going to governmental organizations offering this dreck as 'grants' or 'programs'. (They get you coming *and* going.)But there's something which hasn't been said: namely, the potency argument.If, by her reasoning, the potency of a substance is one of the factors which constitutes abuse (without of course, delineating what constitutes approved *use*; how very convenient), then all distilled liquors should be banned as well.After all, vodka is stronger than beer or wine, right? By Snowball's lights, distilled alcoholic beverages should be banned as well, as the degree of intoxication is measurably greater than beer. But I doubt that her distillery-supported cat's-paw friends in the PFDFA would ever publicly acknowledge that fact. Or appreciate her for making that observation.Follow the money, my friends, always follow the money. You can bet that La Snowball certainly does. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by NiftySplifty on December 27, 2000 at 18:13:07 PT Kids know the truth, deep down. I can just imagine myself standing in front of others in some sort of "treatment" for gettin' smokie. "Yes. I have a drug problem. I get those cravings that I just can't shake, until I get my next fix." (more likely next Twix). How silly. But, anyone who has ever smoked knows that it's all bullshit. But, like the kid I saw once on Judge Bitchy, they have to spew forth they Antis' lies to keep from getting into further trouble. She asked the kid if he was still "doing drugs", and he said he was still smoking pot. He then said, "It's hard to just quit cold turkey" or something like that. Like he was talking about heroin or crack.I think this is just basic self-preservation on their part. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by freedom fighter on December 27, 2000 at 16:39:59 PT What makes it even more dangerous is not because kids are forced to lie. When they are forced, they only have deeper disregard of the LAW. When kids are forced, they are more likely to become a true criminal, the one that have nothing to lose. I do not know if people ever will realize that to some kids, getting caught is a badge of honor and respect among the peer. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by dddd on December 27, 2000 at 15:15:14 PT Right on Dan B,,,You are so right on...Some kid gets caught with a bit of marijuana,and he/she is forced to go to a "treatment".This treatment program could either be required by a court,or imposed by their parents.There is no real standard for a "treatment program".It could be a "court approved" program,but I doubt much scrutiny is given to the nature of many of these programs,not to mention the qualifications,and credentials of the people employed as "treatment counselors",or whatever their title may be.These are mostly,"for profit" enterprises.Many of these programs are offshoots of AA. The most troubling part of all,is that many of these court approved treatment programs,are run by scientologist companies.(I can provide links as to why I say this). Anyway,like you said,you take a kid,and make him feel as if he has done some major disgusting crime,because he smoked weed,and the assumption that is drilled into his head,is that he has a drug problem.This assumption is blown way out of proportion by a "treatment specialist",who is more than likely quite deranged,and obsessed about the whole thing.After surviving the trauma of one of these programs,your mental condition cries out for mind altering relaxants. I dont mean to say that there are not many necessary,and well intentioned programs out there,with good people.But I am saying that the treatment can often do far more damage,than the supposed malady. It's a very damaging,and deceptive situation,how drugs became a general term for the drugs that were outlawed.With no real distinction being made between "drugs",the insanity continued,thanks to the ondcp and its inbred relatives. So now we end up with systems,like prop 36 here in California,where they are now being faced with the absurd,twilight zone task,of "treating" people,for things that are based on farfetched,and undefined assumptions,theorys,and disinformation. I cant resist mentioning how it is so 'natziesque',or like being in some asylum,or mental hospital,,part of some bad dream..............."Time for your treatment kaptinemo.We will help you with your problem....We have ways of making you well....When your treatment is complete,perhaps we will consider letting you return to the outside,,that is,only if we feel that your treatment has cured you." ........................................................................dddd [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Dan B on December 27, 2000 at 11:41:23 PT: Marijuana Abuse: An Epidemic of Healthy Choices Dan Hillman is absolutely correct in asserting that the kids labeled as "marijuana abusers" are, in fact, those caught using or possessing any amount of marijuana and legally bound to attend some "treatment" program.These "treatment" programs are extremely dangerous in that they force these kids to speak lies as though they are the truth. That is, they are forced to recite their life stories as though they are criminals who needed the law to straighten out their lives. They have to "admit they have a problem" before they can be "helped" to "overcome" that "problem." They have to tow the party line in order to get out of these programs; then, their "testimonies" are used as evidence that the state has "helped" an "addict." The "mental health" system, in the area of addiction, is as corrupt as the penal system. They are not truly helping anyone by forcing this "treatment" on them. They are brainwashing the weak and forcing the strong to grudgingly say what they have to in order to get out of the "treatment program."Dan B Drug War Trivia Part II [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by dddd on December 27, 2000 at 11:22:41 PT what? What the heck is the definition of a "marijuana abuser"?I dont think you could say marijuana "abuse",any more than you could say,'coffee abuse'....dddd [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by aocp on December 27, 2000 at 10:36:55 PT: not quite >...I imagine that any teen unlucky enough to get caught using cannabis in your jurisdiction and forced to take part in your "program" is by (your) definition, an "abuser".Actually, i would say that anyone who uses cannabis without the sky falling is labelled an "abuser" by this crazy person. It directly threatens her silly feelings of societal security. Quelle vache. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Dan Hillman on December 27, 2000 at 10:32:29 PT Marijuana use Snowballing >Last autumn, AADAC spokeswoman Nancy Snowball said it became apparent marijuana-abusing clients were outnumbering those seeking help from the agency for their alcohol use. Notice that in this sentence and the previous, the wording is such that a casual reader would come away thinking that hordes of "marijuana-abusing" clients are seeking the services of Miss Snowball. A careful reading reveals, however, that some number (too sensitive to print, it seems) has been plucked out of the air to represent said "abusers" which now (amazingly to anyone who has spent time in alcohol paradise Canada) outnumber teen alcoholics. How wonderful, Miss Snowball! Teens are showing wisdom beyond their years by choosing to use a relatively harmless plant material in place of deadly Canadian-distilled hooch. Further, Miss Snowball, I get the feeling that the "marijuana abusers" that you see are in your program are present decidedly not by their own choice...because I imagine that any teen unlucky enough to get caught using cannabis in your jurisdiction and forced to take part in your "program" is by (your) definition, an "abuser". [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: