cannabisnews.com: Teen Marijuana Use Linked To Later Illness Teen Marijuana Use Linked To Later Illness Posted by CN Staff on May 09, 2008 at 08:49:17 PT By Lori Aratani Source: Washington Post Washington, D.C. -- Teenagers who smoke marijuana put themselves at risk for future mental illness and higher rates of depression, according to a report to be released today by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. Although fewer teens overall are smoking marijuana, the report said, there is growing concern that those who do, particularly those who view the drug as a way to cope with depression, do not understand its consequences. It also is not clear whether their parents, who might have indulged when they were younger, understand the risks, experts say. The report, whose release coincides with the start of Mental Health Awareness Month, said studies show links between marijuana use and risk of mental illness later in life, and that use could increase the risk by as much as 40 percent. Teenage girls who smoke marijuana are particularly at risk, the report said. It found that teen girls who smoke marijuana daily are more likely to develop depression than those who do not. The report also found that teenagers who smoke marijuana at least once a month are three times more likely to have suicidal thoughts than non-users. It said that even though the percentage of teens who are depressed is equal to the percentage of adults who say they are depressed, teenagers are more likely to seek solace in marijuana or other illicit drugs. "Significant numbers of teenagers are self-medicating," said John P. Walters, director of the White House office. "They're turning to marijuana to reduce [symptoms of depression], and [the depression] is getting worse." The report said that too often teens do not seek treatment for their depression, choosing instead to seek relief by smoking marijuana. They do not realize that pot can make their problems worse and can set them up for serious health consequences, it said. Susan Lydick, coordinator of the Youth Suicide and Depression Initiative at the Fairfax Partnership for Youth, said the report offers new information to parents and the general public -- groups that are often unaware of the interplay between drug use and depression. Walters said advances in technology allow researchers to better understand the effect drugs such as marijuana have on brain function. The research being done today "is breaking new ground in showing the role marijuana use is playing in depression," he said. Added Larry Greenhill, president-elect of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: "What's new in this report is that it documents how serious the impact is of what was thought to be a mild recreational" drug. Lydick said that in addition to teenage girls, minority youths are likely to seek relief for depression through drugs or other substances partly because of the social stigma some cultures attach to mental health problems. "They don't want to go to mom, they don't want to go to their pastor, so the safer thing to do is to self-medicate with marijuana and other drugs," Lydick said. She said the report's conclusions mirror many of the findings of a 2005 survey of Fairfax County youth. According to that study, Hispanic, Asian and African American teens reported higher percentages of depression than their white counterparts. Lydick said her agency is hosting a community forum next week to explore teen depression and addiction. Nationwide, about 2 million teenagers report having felt depressed or having lost interest in daily activities during the past year. Beth Kane-Davidson, director of Suburban Hospital's Addiction Treatment Center in Bethesda, which serves teens and adults, said the report offers important information for people in her field. It "opens the door for parents and teens to start thinking about their own decisions and the possible impact of their decisions on their future," she said. Too often, Kane-Davidson said, parents and teenagers downplay marijuana's impact because they see it as less harmful than other drugs, such as cocaine. Contributing to the risk is the higher potency of marijuana being distributed today compared with what was available in the 1970s, when federal officials began analyzing the drug. A study done last year by researchers at the University of Mississippi found that, since the 1980s, the potency has doubled. Walters said that despite a drop in usage among teenagers, those who are using are becoming more dependent on it. About 60 percent of first-time users are under the age of 18. "We forget because we think of marijuana as something that's the least dangerous of illicit drugs, but far more teens are in treatment for dependency on marijuana than alcohol," Walters said. Note: Self-Medication, Especially for Depression, Raises Risk of Mental Problems, Study Says.Newshawk: HopeSource: Washington Post (DC)Author: Lori Aratani Published: May 9, 2008Copyright: 2008 Washington Post Contact: letters washpost.com Website: http://www.washingtonpost.com/Related Article:Teen Use of Pot Can Lead To Dependencyhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23917.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #52 posted by Dankhank on May 15, 2008 at 16:50:08 PT AKA yes it is a must see, for anyone who wonders what our government is up to. [ Post Comment ] Comment #51 posted by Robbie on May 13, 2008 at 04:32:53 PT dankhank re: AKA I just saw this ast night and it's a must-see for all C-Newsershttp://www.mininova.org/tor/1398815 Get this! [ Post Comment ] Comment #50 posted by FoM on May 12, 2008 at 14:51:16 PT Dankhank and All I must say that this radio station has the best sound of any radio station I have ever heard and I like the music. I hope others check it out. [ Post Comment ] Comment #49 posted by FoM on May 12, 2008 at 14:24:32 PT Dankhank I'm glad you and your family are ok. What bad weather and disasters here in the states and around the world. I found this link on The Rust List and they were just playing Van Morrison. I thought you might want to check it out since we know how bad the news is these days.http://freeformrock.com/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #48 posted by Hope on May 12, 2008 at 09:45:46 PT Mom's cha cha lessons... That is so cool and I'm gladdened to hear it. Go, Mom! [ Post Comment ] Comment #47 posted by Dankhank on May 12, 2008 at 08:55:11 PT Hope appreciated sentiment ...I've been occupied with a couple of things, lately ...'sides weaning myself from CNN ... they can't talk about anything else but the Hillary Deathwatch ...My brother had a near miss in Georgia ... lotta trees down very near his place.This spring weather is always something crazy ...Macon, got hit pretty hard, caused Mom's dance instructor to miss, so Mom missed a class she had planned to attend on the Cha-Cha. In three months she'll be 78.Thanx to all the Moms in the world, hope ya'll enjoyed your "weekend."still kicking ... still onery ...:-) [ Post Comment ] Comment #46 posted by Hope on May 11, 2008 at 20:58:52 PT Oh gosh, Dankhank... I've been worried about you. Thanks for checking in! I guess the tornadoes missed you. I'm glad. I wish they'd missed everyone there. [ Post Comment ] Comment #45 posted by dankhank on May 11, 2008 at 18:52:37 PT check this ... http://www.mininova.org/tor/1398815anyone who gets AKA from the net should send 10.00 MO direct to Tommy, bet he gets less than ten/per from distributorsPeace ... [ Post Comment ] Comment #44 posted by Hope on May 11, 2008 at 15:16:03 PT The media... yapping lapdogs snuggled into the lap of an overbearing government that has passed the point of depravity. [ Post Comment ] Comment #43 posted by Hope on May 11, 2008 at 15:14:13 PT Robbie You're right. Our supposed "Watchdog" is nothing more than a "Lapdog" for a cruel, unreasonable, dictatorial, and hideously unwise to the point of being dangerous, government that is more about bondage and greed, than freedom. [ Post Comment ] Comment #42 posted by Robbie on May 11, 2008 at 11:36:57 PT Nice balanced article, eh? This seems much more like PR than journalism. Of course, that's what mainstream media is for "our" government: a parrot much more than a watchdog. [ Post Comment ] Comment #41 posted by FoM on May 11, 2008 at 09:07:24 PT dongenero Thank you. I hadn't noticed Michael Moore's comment. I really like Michael Moore. [ Post Comment ] Comment #40 posted by dongenero on May 11, 2008 at 09:04:15 PT tommy chong trailer Michael Moore has a great comment on the site. [ Post Comment ] Comment #39 posted by FoM on May 11, 2008 at 06:21:24 PT Trailer For Tommy Chong's Movie http://akatommychong.com/trailer.htmlhttp://www.akatommychong.com/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #38 posted by afterburner on May 11, 2008 at 02:28:46 PT Personal Experience by MS Mother Canadian Medical Marijuana Users Banned [added: permanently!] from the US [pages 8 - 11]. The West Kootenay Contact. Newsletter of the West Kootenay Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. Volume 7, Issue 2, March 2008 https://msors.mssociety.ca/CATv2/PDFs/Chapter709/WKC_Mar_2008.pdf [pages 8 - 11]. [ Post Comment ] Comment #37 posted by Hope on May 10, 2008 at 23:23:07 PT John Tyler I want to know what's in the movie, too. It's obviously some truth telling that they don't want told. [ Post Comment ] Comment #36 posted by John Tyler on May 10, 2008 at 22:55:15 PT soon to be an underground classic Where is the free speech in this country? Tommy Chong got sent to prison for his high profile cannabis activism. He made a movie about his trial, etc. and the FBI confiscated a bunch of copies of it to try to stop its distribution. Why is the government so afraid of this guy? What is he doing or saying that gets them so upset? I hadn’t thought about it too much, but now I want to see it, just to see what the fuss is all about. With the FBI’s help this could be an underground classic. I hope to see it on Netflix soon. [ Post Comment ] Comment #35 posted by Hope on May 10, 2008 at 17:12:53 PT Every word, horribly and depressingly true. "We typically find Jewish adults, too, drawing into themselves, exhibiting despair, and developing problems in relating with people as one formerly supportive group after another (employers, insurers, landlords, police) prevented them from living normally in society. These sorts of Jewish behavior mimic the "drug user personality," suggesting that the behavior may be a response to persecution from society rather than an expression of someone's inherent personality -- particularly since most users of socially approved drugs such as alcohol and nicotine do not exhibit "drug user symptoms" despite those drugs' potency and danger. In many cases, the proper course of treatment of drug users may simply be to cease persecuting them." [ Post Comment ] Comment #34 posted by observer on May 10, 2008 at 16:01:50 PT ''Cease Persecuting Them'' all that is so depressing. But really, I guess, I'm not really depressed or upset about all that... it's like John Walters said, it's because I smoked that pot that time is why I'm depressed instead of happy about it all.Good point. Probably a push poll, anyway. They list the many depressing aspects of cannabis prohibition first, then ask people how they feel about it. .. The German experience, however, raises the question of who needs treatment at all. Jewish neurologist Arnold Merzbach studied hundreds of Jewish children during the first eighteen months of the Nazi regime. In the first half of 1933 he found "restlessness, irritability, and increased squabbling. Some youths were refusing to eat; the more intelligent ones were sleeping fitfully and given to brooding." Similar behavior continued throughout the year, "as well as many neurotic symptoms." He noted, "older children thought themselves objects of special attention when outdoors."51 We typically find Jewish adults, too, drawing into themselves, exhibiting despair, and developing problems in relating with people as one formerly supportive group after another (employers, insurers, landlords, police) prevented them from living normally in society. These sorts of Jewish behavior mimic the "drug user personality," suggesting that the behavior may be a response to persecution from society rather than an expression of someone's inherent personality -- particularly since most users of socially approved drugs such as alcohol and nicotine do not exhibit "drug user symptoms" despite those drugs' potency and danger. In many cases, the proper course of treatment of drug users may simply be to cease persecuting them.(Drug Warriors and their Prey, Richard Miller, pgs.173-174) [ Post Comment ] Comment #33 posted by afterburner on May 10, 2008 at 14:33:25 PT museman 'Thanks for the converse' continued museman 'Thanks for the converse' continued http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread23873.shtml#34 [ Post Comment ] Comment #32 posted by museman on May 10, 2008 at 13:24:19 PT I am 'mentally ill' Man am I depressed.The understanding that i live in a police state that claims to be free, that broadcasts it's claimed 'benevolence' 24/7, in every form of media, while terrorizing the world with very real bombs and bullets, legally empowering predators with guns to patrol the streets, harass the youth and provoke fear and loathing everywhere they go, is a direct result of my refusal to capitulate -obviously a social deficiency, i.e. the 'symptom' of my 'mental illness.'I am sick in the head, because I refuse to believe that money, property, and posession beyond need, joy, and comfort, has any value worth considering.I am some kind of scary criminal, because I consider it my life's mission and goal to invalidate and reveal the invalidity of the many layers of false belief that allows the masters (3% -or less of the world population) to continue to have the power to enslave and destroy the entire planet on a consistent and daily basis. - It is also convenient to label this perspective and idea as 'bi-polar' 'anti-social behavior' and obviously another sign of my mania and psychosis. Nowadays i also share the label of 'terrorist' (by the actual, de-facto terrorists themselves!)On the day that i first got high, it was because i was driven to some form of relief from the terror of war and the insanity of the military mind-set. My entire reality was destroyed in the view of the maimed and dying that was afforded me as some kind of 'therapy' by idiots proclaiming special insight into the mental workings of such folks as me. The revelation that these so-called 'professionals' had absolutely no idea what was real, and what was really going on astounded me. I think that's when I fell out of line.And that is really what pisses them off i think, that I am not in their line of all-chained-together heave-ho 'progess'.So I contracted the 'disease' of truth, dissent, and contradiction. It's contageous, I know."All because I use the herb,all because I know I'm free.All because I stand for truth,all because, because I see." -from 'The Herb Reknown' (unpublished recent work)*************Actually, I am not depressed at all. I live in a state (dubbed the 'loser state' by the king of losers himself; mr. monkey-on-the-throne bush) that has a higher population of aware people than most. In an environment that is not polluted and filthy from hundreds of years of stupid human abuse and ignorance. Oh it's damaged, there was once a majestic forest here that stretched from the coast of Washington all the way down to Morrow Bay, gone now to the greed of that formerly mentioned 3%. But there is still a lot left.I can feel fairly safe in the use of my medicine and somewhat confident of it's availability, I'm happy about that.I have the opportunity to see the swell of a new consciousness upwelling in the youth, and those who are not bound and constrained to hold on to false thinking for personal pride and vanity (is there another reason for holding on to falsehoods?) -that gives me great hope and enthusiasm.And for me personally, in the past couple of years, a lot of information has come out that confirms and validates a huge content of my own belief and understanding that until this validation, was a source of all manner of condemnation, judgements, and social-labelling, including my 'apparent mental instablity'. That is the greatest 'therapy' i have ever recieved. The establishment has tried to prove me (and us) wrong (sometimes actively, and personally) for many many years, but the truth is out, and it's still coming.I feel empowered and confident that no matter how hard they blow, hot-air is just hot-air. I believe that truth can, does, and will ultimately trump the lies and BS. Well. I guess I'm not so 'sick' after all.Just gotta stay out of the reach of the hooves while that old horse dies. [ Post Comment ] Comment #31 posted by FoM on May 10, 2008 at 11:03:06 PT Hope It has to be coming to an end. One of the reasons I have followed Senator Obama like I have is because I wanted to see what he is made of. He is the most liberal Senator in the Senate. He is experienced and sensitive to the plight of the inner cities. He said the drug war wasn't working even back in 04. I have hope that he will change the way the drug war is handled. He is young enough to have seen different drug issues and experimented with drugs. I honestly believe we have a chance. [ Post Comment ] Comment #30 posted by Hope on May 10, 2008 at 10:57:25 PT All this death, mayhem, destruction, persecution, the loss of rights, home invasions, record numbers in prison or caught in the gears of the system, murdering, lying, snitching, spying, hate and fear mongering... all that is so depressing. But really, I guess, I'm not really depressed or upset about all that... it's like John Walters said, it's because I smoked that pot that time is why I'm depressed instead of happy about it all... like he, the great untainted, is. [ Post Comment ] Comment #29 posted by Hope on May 10, 2008 at 10:51:01 PT You would think the FBI had better things to do than plan and execute raids to confiscate Tommy Chong movies.This is what we pay them such fine salaries and benefits to do?We are bullied by a government that forcibly takes our "lunch money" to support their bullying of us all.The size and power of the bully is unbelievable.I hope you're right, Runruff, that this horrible prohibitionist system is in it's death throes. I so hope so. [ Post Comment ] Comment #28 posted by FoM on May 10, 2008 at 10:49:31 PT runruff Exactly. [ Post Comment ] Comment #27 posted by runruff on May 10, 2008 at 10:37:10 PT: Sit back and watch! A dying horse is most dangerous in it's death throws! [ Post Comment ] Comment #26 posted by Hope on May 10, 2008 at 09:39:38 PT Last night someone on the Drug Policy Forum of Texas list pointed out something about this article.It starts off saying that young people smoke cannabis to self treat depression... then it ends by saying it causes it.That's discombobulated. Par for the course for the ONDCP.I can only hope that as they keep up their lying and trying to manipulate people and cause trouble... that as they are trying to turn people against each other, that eventually, and soon, I hope, the people will turn on them and quit feeding their lying mouths and shut them down. They qualify as true evil. [ Post Comment ] Comment #25 posted by Hope on May 10, 2008 at 09:31:37 PT Why? Did the FBI give a reason why they took the movie?Our government is completely out of control. It's terrifying. They've gone after people in the name of a culture war over a plant. They are vicious monsters... brute beasts... in my book. Are they going to confiscate people's High Times? Jack Herer's books? Is there going to be a big book and DVD and CD burning?Is it fields of crosses next with cannabists crucified as far as the eye can see to show the power of the government?This scares me. It really does. It makes me sick. America... the very, very ugly. [ Post Comment ] Comment #24 posted by RevRayGreen on May 10, 2008 at 02:51:23 PT Tommy's recent MySpace bulletin "May 9, 2008 11:11 PM Subject: DEA raids Spectrum Labs and Seize's 10,000 copies of my movie 'AKA TOMMY CHONG' The movie the Goverment did not want you to see, has been seized by the DEA as they raided Spectrum Labs our current distribution partner. 2 days ago. Lets all join together and vote these ****ers out of office man." [ Post Comment ] Comment #23 posted by john wayne on May 10, 2008 at 00:25:47 PT Bush should be burned, not heard. that is all. [ Post Comment ] Comment #22 posted by Hope on May 09, 2008 at 22:27:13 PT Comment 15! That's current? That's now?They're confiscating his movie?That's outrageous. Completely outrageous. How can they do that?And the FBI at that? That's insane! [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by Hope on May 09, 2008 at 22:19:47 PT Observer KNOWS what propaganda is and how it works. [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by dongenero on May 09, 2008 at 20:45:04 PT send 'observer' to Washington We should all pitch in on a plane ticket to Washington for observer.When Congress considers Barney Frank's legislation, observer could stand at the side and serve as a translator for any prohibitionist arguments that come up.Kind of like the person who does sign language at the side of the stage. [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by RevRayGreen on May 09, 2008 at 20:13:45 PT ??? that's alot to break down...... [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by observer on May 09, 2008 at 20:04:57 PT analysis [1] Washington, D.C. -- Teenagers who smoke marijuana put themselves at risk for future mental illness and higher rates of depression, according to a report to be released today by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy . (Sentence 1) re: "depression", "mental illness" - Prohibitionist propaganda claims that horrible dangers are caused by "drugs." (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) re: "Teenagers" - "Since the Harrison Act of 1914, the user and the seller of illicit drugs have both been characterized as evil, criminal, insane, and always in search of new victims, the victims are characterized as young children." [W.White,1979] (Children Corrupted (propaganda theme 5) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme5.htm#5 ) re: "marijuana put themselves at risk for future mental" - Classic 'Reefer madness' claims cannabis causes (violent) mental illness. [2] Although fewer teens overall are smoking marijuana, the report said, there is growing concern that those who do, particularly those who view the drug as a way to cope with depression, do not understand its consequences . (Sentence 2) re: "depression" - Drugs, the prohibitionist explains, are a wicked bane on modern man. Why if not for the noble drug war (i.e. jailing drug users), exclaims the propagandist, then people will run amok, and violence, death, psychosis, and plague shall cover the land. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) re: "teens" - Prohibitionists play on parental fears by exaggerating the dangers to children of drugs. Adults must be jailed (reason prohibitionists), because kids might be corrupted with drugs. (Children Corrupted (propaganda theme 5) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme5.htm#5 ) [4] The report, whose release coincides with the start of Mental Health Awareness Month, said studies show links between marijuana use and risk of mental illness later in life, and that use could increase the risk by as much as 40 percent . (Sentence 4) re: "mental illness" - Drugs, scream prohibitionists, cause all bad things in life: crime, violence, insanity, etc. If not for prohibition (i.e., jailing drug users), then criminality, violence and psychotic behavior would explode upon the land, the prohibitionist assures us. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) re: "marijuana use" - The rhetoric of prohibition will assume that "use" and "abuse" are identical. (Use is Abuse (propaganda theme 4) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme4.htm#alluseisabuse ) re: "marijuana use and risk of mental" - Central to the demonizing of cannabis users is the insinuation cannabis "causes" mental illness, or that cannabis prohibition somehow contains or limits mental illness. [5] Teenage girls who smoke marijuana are particularly at risk, the report said . (Sentence 5) re: "Teenage" - "The inflaming of this fear about the fate of our own children [makes] it difficult if not impossible for most Americans to take a careful and reasoned look at our drug policies."[W.White,1979] (Children Corrupted (propaganda theme 5) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme5.htm#5 ) [6] It found that teen girls who smoke marijuana daily are more likely to develop depression than those who do not . (Sentence 6) re: "depression" - Prohibitionists claim any use of currently illegal drugs cause death, illness, lunacy, mania, melancholy, and all means of sin and degradation. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) re: "teen" - Prohibitionists are champions of "the child", "kids", "children", etc. Only continued or increased punishments of all adults caught using "drugs" will send the correct "message" to children. (Children Corrupted (propaganda theme 5) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme5.htm#5 ) [7] The report also found that teenagers who smoke marijuana at least once a month are three times more likely to have suicidal thoughts than non-users . (Sentence 7) re: "teenagers" - Prohibitionist propaganda continually whips up parental fear, invoking lurid images of children corrupted by drugs. (Children Corrupted (propaganda theme 5) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme5.htm#5 ) [8] It said that even though the percentage of teens who are depressed is equal to the percentage of adults who say they are depressed, teenagers are more likely to seek solace in marijuana or other illicit drugs . (Sentence 8) re: "teens", "teenagers" - "Chemicals have long been inextricably linked in prohibitionist literature with the ... corruption of young people." [W.White,1979] (Children Corrupted (propaganda theme 5) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme5.htm#5 ) [9] "Significant numbers of teenagers are self-medicating," said John P . (Sentence 9) re: "teenagers" - "Nothing can so excite an adult population as can anything which appears to threaten their own children." [W.White,1979] (Children Corrupted (propaganda theme 5) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme5.htm#5 ) [11] "They're turning to marijuana to reduce [symptoms of depression], and [the depression] is getting worse." (Sentence 11) re: "depression" - Prohibition propaganda rarely misses an opportunity to link crime, violence, and insanity with "drugs". The propagandist insinuates that prohibited drugs cause evil, and if it weren't for "drugs" bad things would not exist. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) [12] The report said that too often teens do not seek treatment for their depression, choosing instead to seek relief by smoking marijuana . (Sentence 12) re: "depression" - It is prohibition, claim prohibitionists, that saves people from drug crazed, whacked out, high flying drug users. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) re: "teens" - Prohibitionists forever claim that children are corrupted by drugs, and this is why adult users must be punished harshly. (Children Corrupted (propaganda theme 5) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme5.htm#5 ) [14] Susan Lydick, coordinator of the Youth Suicide and Depression Initiative at the Fairfax Partnership for Youth, said the report offers new information to parents and the general public -- groups that are often unaware of the interplay between drug use and depression . (Sentence 14) re: "Depression", "Suicide" - The rhetoric of prohibition asserts that insanity, crime, and violence are caused by drugs, or are controlled by prohibition. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) re: "drug use" - Prohibitionist propagandists repeatedly assert that "use is abuse." Details about "using" as opposed to "abusing" drugs are ignored. (Use is Abuse (propaganda theme 4) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme4.htm#alluseisabuse ) re: "Youth" - Drug war propaganda plays on parental fears for the well being of their kids. If drug users are not jailed, says the prohibitionist, then your children will surely suffer. (Children Corrupted (propaganda theme 5) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme5.htm#5 ) [16] The research being done today "is breaking new ground in showing the role marijuana use is playing in depression," he said . (Sentence 16) re: "depression" - Drugs, claim the prohibitionist, cause insanity, violence, and terrible sickness. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) re: "marijuana use" - "This strategy equates the use and abuse of drugs and implies that it is impossible to use the particular drug or drugs in question without physical, mental, and moral deterioration." [W.White,1979] (Use is Abuse (propaganda theme 4) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme4.htm#alluseisabuse ) [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by observer on May 09, 2008 at 20:04:17 PT analysis [17] Added Larry Greenhill, president-elect of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: "What's new in this report is that it documents how serious the impact is of what was thought to be a mild recreational" drug . (Sentence 17) re: "American" - Prohibitionists assert that the survival of the community, society, the nation, the world, etc. are at stake. Only continued and increased punishments for drug users can be contemplated, because, say prohibitionists, society will otherwise fall apart. (Survival of Society (propaganda theme 3) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme3.htm#3 ) re: "Child" - Being a prohibitionist means you can never shed too many crocodile tears for the "children". (As you lustily jail or kill their parents for using drugs.) (Children Corrupted (propaganda theme 5) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme5.htm#5 ) [18] Lydick said that in addition to teenage girls, minority youths are likely to seek relief for depression through drugs or other substances partly because of the social stigma some cultures attach to mental health problems . (Sentence 18) re: "problems", "depression", "health problems", "mental health problems" - Drugs, the prohibitionist explains, are a wicked bane on modern man. Why if not for the noble drug war (i.e. jailing drug users), exclaims the propagandist, then people will run amok, and violence, death, psychosis, and plague shall cover the land. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) re: "teenage", "youths" - Prohibitionists are champions of "the child", "kids", "children", etc. Only continued or increased punishments of all adults caught using "drugs" will send the correct "message" to children. (Children Corrupted (propaganda theme 5) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme5.htm#5 ) [20] She said the report's conclusions mirror many of the findings of a 2005 survey of Fairfax County youth . (Sentence 20) re: "youth" - "Chemicals have long been inextricably linked in prohibitionist literature with the ... corruption of young people." [W.White,1979] (Children Corrupted (propaganda theme 5) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme5.htm#5 ) [21] According to that study, Hispanic, Asian and African American teens reported higher percentages of depression than their white counterparts . (Sentence 21) re: "African American" - The rhetoric of prohibition tries to link drugs with marginalized people. (Hated Groups (propaganda theme 1) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme1.htm#1 ) re: "depression" - Prohibition propaganda rarely misses an opportunity to link crime, violence, and insanity with "drugs". The propagandist insinuates that prohibited drugs cause evil, and if it weren't for "drugs" bad things would not exist. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) re: "American" - Because of prohibition (prohibitionists assure us), society is protected: the community is safe, and the nation is saved. (Survival of Society (propaganda theme 3) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme3.htm#3 ) re: "teens" - "Chemicals have long been inextricably linked in prohibitionist literature with the ... corruption of young people." [W.White,1979] (Children Corrupted (propaganda theme 5) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme5.htm#5 ) [22] Lydick said her agency is hosting a community forum next week to explore teen depression and addiction . (Sentence 22) re: "addiction", "depression" - The rhetoric of prohibition asserts that insanity, crime, and violence are caused by drugs, or are controlled by prohibition. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) re: "community" - The health of the "community" (read: government) is assured, prohibitionists explain, because drug users are punished. Jailing drug users is thus painted as upholding society. (Survival of Society (propaganda theme 3) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme3.htm#3 ) re: "teen" - "Chemicals have long been inextricably linked in prohibitionist literature with the ... corruption of young people." [W.White,1979] (Children Corrupted (propaganda theme 5) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme5.htm#5 ) [23] Nationwide, about 2 million teenagers report having felt depressed or having lost interest in daily activities during the past year . (Sentence 23) re: "teenagers" - "The inflaming of this fear about the fate of our own children [makes] it difficult if not impossible for most Americans to take a careful and reasoned look at our drug policies."[W.White,1979] (Children Corrupted (propaganda theme 5) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme5.htm#5 ) [24] Beth Kane-Davidson, director of Suburban Hospital's Addiction Treatment Center in Bethesda, which serves teens and adults, said the report offers important information for people in her field . (Sentence 24) re: "Addiction" - Drugs, the prohibitionist explains, are a wicked bane on modern man. Why if not for the noble drug war (i.e. jailing drug users), exclaims the propagandist, then people will run amok, and violence, death, psychosis, and plague shall cover the land. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) re: "teens" - Prohibitionist propaganda continually whips up parental fear, invoking lurid images of children corrupted by drugs. (Children Corrupted (propaganda theme 5) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme5.htm#5 ) [25] It "opens the door for parents and teens to start thinking about their own decisions and the possible impact of their decisions on their future," she said . (Sentence 25) re: "teens" - "Since the Harrison Act of 1914, the user and the seller of illicit drugs have both been characterized as evil, criminal, insane, and always in search of new victims, the victims are characterized as young children." [W.White,1979] (Children Corrupted (propaganda theme 5) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme5.htm#5 ) [26] Too often, Kane-Davidson said, parents and teenagers downplay marijuana's impact because they see it as less harmful than other drugs, such as cocaine . (Sentence 26) re: "harmful" - Drugs, claim the prohibitionist, cause insanity, violence, and terrible sickness. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) re: "teenagers" - Prohibitionists play on parental fears by exaggerating the dangers to children of drugs. Adults must be jailed (reason prohibitionists), because kids might be corrupted with drugs. (Children Corrupted (propaganda theme 5) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme5.htm#5 ) [29] Walters said that despite a drop in usage among teenagers, those who are using are becoming more dependent on it . (Sentence 29) re: "teenagers" - Drug war propaganda plays on parental fears for the well being of their kids. If drug users are not jailed, says the prohibitionist, then your children will surely suffer. (Children Corrupted (propaganda theme 5) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme5.htm#5 ) [31] "We forget because we think of marijuana as something that's the least dangerous of illicit drugs, but far more teens are in treatment for dependency on marijuana than alcohol," Walters said . (Sentence 31) re: "teens" - "The inflaming of this fear about the fate of our own children [makes] it difficult if not impossible for most Americans to take a careful and reasoned look at our drug policies."[W.White,1979] (Children Corrupted (propaganda theme 5) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme5.htm#5 ) [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by RevRayGreen on May 09, 2008 at 20:00:58 PT Mary Beth Buchanan "Mary Beth Buchanan, authorized some of these raids and the confiscation of the Chong DVDs, which are about…well, her prosecution of Tommy and his resulting incarceration." The FBI Busts Tommy Chong... for DVD's [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by FoM on May 09, 2008 at 18:57:18 PT RevRayGreen Companies Raided for Selling Products That Mask Drug Usehttp://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08129/880066-85.stm [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by FoM on May 09, 2008 at 18:53:46 PT RevRayGreen I never heard anything about that. Are you kidding? [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by RevRayGreen on May 09, 2008 at 18:37:10 PT let's hear more about Tommy Chong's videos being confiscated in the wizzanator raid. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by FoM on May 09, 2008 at 18:12:05 PT RevRayGreen I heard about that on the news. Very strange to say the least. I never watch Fox just MSNBC and CNN. I wonder why they are doing the story? [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by RevRayGreen on May 09, 2008 at 17:54:42 PT next on O'Relly.........Point/Counter-Point Should skull bongs be legal ? [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by charmed quark on May 09, 2008 at 17:49:11 PT Propaganda machine I couldn't find any mention of the studies that all these claims are based on. I suspect, as always, they are based on distortions of low quality studies. Yet CNN has been giving it constant play.A short while ago, when a major review study seemed to contradict the link between marijuana use and psychosis, guess how many times I saw that mentioned on any TV news program?Zero, of course. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by FoM on May 09, 2008 at 15:32:50 PT Another Thought Senator Obama smoked Cannabis when he was young and it doesn't seem to have caused him any problems. If anything he might be a little wiser for his experience. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by tintala on May 09, 2008 at 15:05:21 PT: When I was a kid , my step dad always had whiskey in the cabinet, and I knew where it was always, so that's what I did, i took shots of whiskey coz they made it look so good on tv. until i learned about cannabis... seems like good ole' UNCLE SAM wants me to use the whiskey instead of unharmful cannabis, isn't a false sense of well being BETTER than no well being? [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by RevRayGreen on May 09, 2008 at 15:03:24 PT check the first replies on the comments of course by moi. Everynight I run a google search for 'marijauna news' and voila there is the propaghanda being ran by the Washington Post. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by dongenero on May 09, 2008 at 12:47:44 PT the propaganda machine Pick your "War", they all are presented by similar tactics.Two weeks ago, a 7,600-word exposé in the New York Times revealed that military propagandists had overrun networks like Fox News, CBS, NBC, ABC and CNN to spin the Iraq war using scripts provided by the Pentagon. White House officials even called their planted pundits "message force multipliers." [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by user123 on May 09, 2008 at 11:04:48 PT: Puh-leeze I lost interest in this article half way through. Does that mean I'm depressed? Most cannabis users experience depression when there's none around to buy. Why oh why can't these teens be more patriotic and treat their depression with good 'ole American alcohol, just like adults do? Why didn't the study ask why are there all these depressed people? But then they'd have to face up to the truth that it's partly caused by stupid gov't propaganda that is force feed to us all day long. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Lucas on May 09, 2008 at 09:56:07 PT Prohibitionist Propaganda Perpetrates Persecution this is a brilliant and scary piece of propagandait spins medical use of marijuana for mental health reasons into the old reefer madness theme of, marijuana causes depression and suicidal tendencies..real science is not part of the program, what we have here is a very effectively written piece of propaganda that leaves the naive reader with the impression that if a female teenager uses cannabis for depression, they will compound their depression, and will think of killing themselves.LovelyI get so sick of this. They will never make sense. This is prohibition at its best.And Im so sorry to be living with it.I hope they die off and a wiser youth implements more enlightened policies. In my lifetime. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Hope on May 09, 2008 at 09:42:28 PT Another huge, expensive lying load of destructive crap dumped in our laps is what this report is.I've known a lot of people in my life time, cannabists and those who wouldn't dream of using cannabis... and I know this report is a load of lies and prevarication meant to shore up something that really is bad... the war on cannabis and the people who enjoy it and benefit from it.It's the prohibition and harsh laws and punishment and judgment by others that makes people who have used cannabis "depressed" about it all.It depresses me that the ONDCP and people that believe them are doing so much damage to our citizens, neighbors, society and humanity in the name of their prohibition. They make me sick. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on May 09, 2008 at 09:27:19 PT Just My Thought This is no disrespect to young people but most teens are very emotional just because of all the hormonal changes that are going on in their bodies. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by dongenero on May 09, 2008 at 09:11:07 PT the ONDCP surge I guess They have to do something with those billions of tax dollars.So, cart out a couple of pseudo "findings" citing "studies" none of which are supported in any way.Science?.....Who needs it. Truth?....It's just something to be spun. Your tax dollars at work.By the way, I would not advocate cannabis use by teens but, that's not what the ONDCP "surge" is about. It's about keeping we adults from accessing cannabis by using teens as an argument.If they were serious about keeping it away from teens, they would legalize and regulate. The boogeyman selling bags to children is not checking IDs. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment