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MARIJUANA ----
SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT !
Marijuana is NOT a Safe
Drug...
in fact, it is a VERY DANGEROUS DRUG.
The Council on Alcoholism and Addictions of the
Finger Lakes
is
opposed to the use of marijuana as a recreational drug.
Research on the health and safety effects of marijuana strongly
correlates with many mental, emotional, psychological, physical and spiritual
problems.
In addition, many crimes, accidents, job and school performance problems
have been associated with the use of marijuana.
While not everyone that uses marijuana becomes drug dependent, the
reality is that as with alcohol and other drugs marijuana use certainly can lead
to profound, chronic and progressive chemical dependency.
Its use can be very serious, dangerous, and have a profound impact upon
the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of Americans and their families.
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~ According
to the Drug Abuse Warning Network, in 2009, there were 376,467
marijuana related
admissions into hospital emergency rooms (a
700 percent increase since 1995.)
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~ According
to the Department of Health and Human Services TEDS (Treatment Episode
Data Set), in 2008 there were 346,554 admissions of people into drug
treatment programs who stated that marijuana was their primary drug of
addiction (a 270% increase since 1992.)
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~ According
to a major study of motor vehicle collision victims in a regional Trauma
Unit in
Toronto
, marijuana was the
most commonly found drug in impaired drivers other than
alcohol! (Addiction Research Foundation.)
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~ According
to a comprehensive study, marijuana smokers are four times more likely
to report symptoms of depression - including suicidal thoughts - as
compared to those who never used the drug! (American Journal of
Psychiatry, December 2000.)
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In a comprehensive study reported in the international journal Lancet,
drugs were examined for degree of harmfulness across 16 criteria.
Cannabis was found to have negative and harmful consequences in
15-of-the-16 criteria studied.
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The
consumption of marijuana is not recommended.
For many users it causes mild-to-severe distress
and it may have even more profound physical or psychological effects
especially for the following: to
individuals who are engaging in activities that could potentially place
themselves and others at risk for personal injury such as operating machinery,
use of firearms, swimming, boating, driving, etc.; to women who are pregnant or
trying to conceive; to people who have a family history of chemical dependency
(especially children of addicted parents); to individuals using other drugs
including alcohol and/or prescription medications (even over the counter
brands); to all individuals who are predisposed to
emotional issues and problems; to all children and adolescents; and to
individuals who demonstrate some degree of chemical dependency on any substance.
- There are scores of scientific studies that prove that marijuana is a
harmful and
addictive drug. New research now links marijuana use to:
- Fetal Drug Affects
- Cancer
- The Amotivation Syndrome
- Mood Changes
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Memory problems
- Hypersensitivity to Criticism
- Underachievement
- Confusion or mental impairment
- Deteriorating Academic Performance
- Outbursts of Anger
- Panic Attacks
- Hostility with lack of Insight/Remorse
- Driving While Impaired
- Accidents
- Tolerance and Physical Addiction
MARIJUANA RESEARCH-BASED
POSITION PAPER
Marijuana use is SERIOUS. It
should not be minimized.
MARIJUANA
CAN MESS YOU UP
and BURN YOU OUT !!!
Educate yourself with current,
relevant information
that will equip you to help prevent marijuana use from becoming more prevalent in our
society.
JOIN THIS COUNCIL IN
"REALITY CHECK"
- A Campaign of Education About the Dangers of Marijuana -
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