Pubdate: Sun, 31 Jan 2010
Source: Maui News, The (HI)
Copyright: 2010 The Maui News
Contact:  http://www.mauinews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2259
Author: Howard Wooldridge
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v10/n063/a06.html

MARIJUANA A SAFER DRUG THAN ALCOHOL

With all due respect to my colleague Chief Gary Yabuta (The Maui 
News, Jan. 22),we both know from our time in the trenches that 
marijuana is a much, much safer drug than alcohol. Of course we want 
young people not to use an intoxicant.But let's be real, they 
will.Any youth who chooses marijuana instead of alcohol makes a safer 
choice for themselves, their family and community.

During my 18 years as a cop, I went to zero calls generated by the 
use of marijuana. Alcohol, on the other hand, generated about 1,300 - 
including murder, rape, child abuse and felony assault.

To reduce crime and misery on Maui, Chief Yabuta's time would be 
better spent urging teens and adults to reduce their drinking or not 
drink at all.

Detective Howard Wooldridge Retired

Washington, D.C.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom