The
Gateway To Heaven
Michael
Stevens
ref:
September 99 Heroinsight
AN
OFTEN GIVEN REASON against relaxing the laws
on cannabis is that it is the `gateway' drug
towards heroin addiction. Cannabis has never
been proven to lead to heroin use and dependence,
but can be viewed as a substance on the other
side of a gate that is propped open by alcohol,
tobacco and prescription drugs.
We
live in a society that accepts and uses a wide
range of legal drugs on one hand, while on the
other hand, condemns the use of other drugs
and discourages them with a variety of laws
and penalties.
The
path to drug use starts in infancy when a range
of products ranging from chamomile and dill
to manufactured pharmaceuticals are given. The
older child is also subjected to antibiotics,
analgesics and sedatives, all given with the
message: `take this, it will make you better'.
At the same time, in households where alcohol
is consumed, the child is often allowed a `sip'
and while the quantity may be insufficient to
have any effect it comes with the message that
it is OK to drink alcohol. In some households,
large amounts of alcohol will be consumed and
the parents and visitors will show the effects
of intoxication on numerous occasions, only
to look normal the next day, reinforcing the
message that it is OK. The child may become
aware that a parent resorts to taking medication
to relieve symptoms of pain, tiredness, anxiety
and stress.
The
child is given conflicting messages by parents
and others in the community. Why are they told
that smoking is harmful when so many people
smoke? Why are so many young people smoking
but do not look unhealthy? If it is bad for
you, why can they be sold in shops? The fact
that minors can not legally buy cigarettes adds
to the excitement of a child's first illicit
cigarette, often smoked with a friend.
The
step to smoking cannabis is not a big one after
having smoked tobacco without ill effect.
While
the legal age for buying alcohol is eighteen
there is ample evidence that underage drinking
is tolerated and accepted by many parents.
Our
teenager on the road of life approaches a gate.
It's ajar and the teenager's siblings, friends
and peers are on the other side offering a choice
of recreational drugs. With a background of
household medication use, the perception that
a few drinks are OK and the knowledge that in
spite of warnings about 30 percent of people
smoke tobacco there does not appear to be any
risk in just trying the drugs on offer. The
first drug taken without parental approval could
be any one of the legal drugs or a progression
from the relatively harmless cannabis through
inhalants, amphetamines, hallucinogens, to cocaine
and heroin. Adults use mind altering substances,
tobacco and alcohol while relaxing or at a party
so is it a great step for teenagers to use these
substances or use ecstasy, speed or cannabis
in the same way?
Fortunately
curiosity and experimentation with any of the
above drugs will not necessarily result in regular
use or dependence.
