[I.M. Boggled]

Evaluation of the "Gateway theory" with Cannabis as the most evil component, Its a given?
Talk about the "Big Lie" in action.
The realistic TRUTH follows the following "smoke up 'ur butt" tactics expressed...

"A direct cause-and-effect relationship between marijuana use and subsequent use of other drugs is hard to prove.
[some would say virtually impossible, myself included...]


So you ask, what are the lies?

Studies show, however, that of the people who have ever used marijuana, those who started early are more likely to have other problems later on.

For example, adults who were early marijuana users were found to be:

* 8 times more likely to have used cocaine;

* 15 times more likely to have used heroin;

* 5 times more likely to develop a need for treatment of abuse or dependence on any drug.

The Journal of the American Medical Association reported a study of more than 300 sets of same-sex twins.
The study found that marijuana-using twins were four times more likely than their siblings to use cocaine and crack cocaine, and five times more likely to use hallucinogens such as LSD."

Source: "What Americans Need to Know About Marijuana," ONDCP, Oct 2003, p.9



So What is the Truth?


Source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health

Let's look at the quote above point by point:

"A direct cause-and-effect relationship between marijuana use and subsequent use of other drugs is hard to prove."

Yes, in fact it is impossible to prove, since it isn't true...

"Adults who were early marijuana users were found to be:"

* "8 times more likely to have used cocaine"

Yet marijuana is nearly three times more popular among drug users than cocaine, and 70 percent of first time cocaine users are over 18.

* "15 times more likely to have used heroin"

Yet heroin remains extremely unpopular -- even among those disposed to using drugs other than alcohol. Over 28 times as many people have tried marijuana than have tried heroin.

* "5 times more likely to develop a need for treatment of abuse or dependence on any drug"

Yet the vast majority of people who use drugs never need treatment.

and finally,

* "Marijuana-using twins were four times more likely than their siblings to use cocaine and crack cocaine, and five times more likely to use hallucinogens such as LSD."

Most of us are not twins -- so what does this actually tell us? Perhaps if one is a twin it should mean more frequent urine testing, since twins are so much more likely to be using other drugs.

Bottom Lines:

* Drugs have different effects: so which drugs a person will use is mostly a matter of personal taste

* Use of the more "dangerous" drugs is quite limited -- indeed only 1.6 percent of the population over 12 has ever tried heroin, and less than two-tenths of one percent had used it in the past year.

* Among those who try the more "dangerous" drugs, most do not do so until after they are adults.


* The vast majority of intoxicant users start with alcohol -- shall we call it the "gateway" drug? And if we do, should we make it illegal?

[BenitoCereno]

Believe it or not I know 2 people who are real junkies(heroin) that started with coke and heroin and don't even like pot...I know 2 isn't much of a sample but...

[SmokeAndBeKind]

Children that start doing drugs (marijuana) at an early age are more likely to have come from a home environment that is less than ideal. It is that factor, and not the marijuana that will influence them to do other drugs in the future

[cannakid]

well pot it consitered the tippical 'gatway drug' bacaus it really only avalable through the black market, pushed along side all of the hard drug. quite simply the only connection between cannabis and hard drugs is the black market. i too have thought that alchihol is a greater primer for addiction but then i thought about tabacco, theas two things are allmost readely avable to every kid. also tobacco is becomeing more and more popular with the younger generations, and it think its really the sensation of smoke in the lungs that is addicting. i dunno maby its just me but most kids just want to smoke something, i say let them smoke something safe and natural that can be grown in the back yard with little cost. i wonder if you could legally grow tobacco, or is it all the addatives that makes it safe and useable

[OXOSSI]

I saw this on a t-shirt once:
Marijuana leads to greater things - a pHD.