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When you hear people talking about legalizing recreational marijuana or medicinal marijuana what do you hear? Most of the time it is probably support for legalization. According to a Pew Research Center survey 53% of Americans favor the legal use of marijuana, while 44% are opposed. That is not very substantial. However, if you are reading about legalizing marijuana on the internet, print media, social media you may think that 80% – 90% support legalization. There is a reason for that; it’s called change of perception.

According to the same survey, supporters of legalizing the use of marijuana are far more likely than opponents to say they have changed their mind on this issue. Among the public overall, 30% say they support legalizing marijuana use and have always felt that way, while 21% have changed their minds; they say there was a time when they thought it should be illegal. By contrast, just 7% have changed their minds from supporting to opposing legalization. So if people perceive that “everyone” supports it, they may be more likely to support it. Forget about rationale. Marijuana proponents don’t do rational they do media campaigns aimed to deflect the truth, to normalize and create the perception that it is already accepted by the populace.

The most frequently cited reasons for supporting the legalization of marijuana are its medicinal benefits (41%) and the belief that marijuana is no worse than other drugs (36%) –with many explicitly mentioning that they think it is no more dangerous than alcohol or cigarettes. First, the average medicinal marijuana user is a 32 year old white males with no prior history of chronic pain. This is factual information based on people who have medicinal marijuana ID cards. Amazingly, there second highest reason for support is it is no more dangerous than alcohol and or cigarettes… Are you serious? Alcohol and cigarettes are two of the worst substances in the country! Why are we legalizing things based on not being worse than alcohol or cigarettes?

I don’t believe the hype… I don’t believe the majority of the population is in favor of legalized marijuana. That is why we need to voice our opinions. I believe the reason the numbers are in favor of legalization is because a lot of people don’t voice their opposition to marijuana. Many assume others will, that legalized marijuana won’t happen here or their voice doesn’t matter… Proponents of marijuana are recruiting as we speak to get more promoters, more people to fuel the perception that America wants legalized marijuana. They have incentives. There is big business behind marijuana legalization. Many very wealthy investors have invested heavily into marijuana; they are not going to sit by and hope it becomes legal. They are paving the road to their financial reward by legalization. They will buy it; they will fund political candidates that support it. Another incentive is for the average user. They will promote it as if their life depends on it because currently their marijuana use could land them in jail.

Please, let’s stop listening to people addicted to marijuana and investors attempting to capitalize on the addiction of future American’s. Let’s start making our own noise.

Some parents say that because alcohol is legal, it’s hard for them to think of it as being dangerous. Other parents say they find it difficult to talk about alcohol because they drink. Yet, alcohol is the drug most often used by young people and the consequences of its use can be harmful to your child in many ways.

It’s never too early to start talking with your child about drinking. Some children start asking questions when they’re four or five years old. Many parents make the mistake of waiting until their child has begun drinking but if you listen and respond to your child sensitively, you may be able to help prevent problems from developing later. Many people feel that prevention is impossible; kids will experiment… However, WE CAN DELAY the onset of first use! Studies show that those who drink alcohol at age 14 or younger are 4 – 7 times more likely to develop dependence later on. In a recent (CASA) study of people with a substance abuse disorder 28% indicated their first use was at age 14 or younger; conversely, only 4% of those with a substance abuse disorder said they had their first drink at the age of 21 or older.

No matter what the age of your children, they are more likely to talk with you about problems – about alcohol or other drug use as well as other important issues – if they feel you really listen. Sometimes, just listening to your child shows more concern than trying to give too much advice, being critical or treating your child’s problems too lightly. Try to remember that your own drinking behavior heavily influences how well your child will observe the household rules you establish. It’s OK to drink in front of your child, but be aware that your child will observe how and when you drink. Do you use alcohol to reduce tension or to celebrate? Do you drive, boat or swim after drinking? Monitoring the quantity and frequency of your drinking as well as being sure that you don’t drink and then engage in potentially dangerous activities all set good examples for your child.

Get to know your child’s friends. Your child may be opposed to drinking and drug use but are their friends? Some of them may think that drinking isn’t a problem and their parents may not have the information you do. They may allow their children to drink and may allow parties in their homes where children have access to alcohol. A recent focus group study revealed that over half the youth surveyed reported that their source for alcohol originated from their home or that of a friend’s home. If your child has been invited to a party at the home of a friend you don’t know, call the friend’s parents ahead of time to be sure that adults will be present. Ask their attitudes about alcohol before you make a decision about allowing your child to attend the party.

In spite of your best efforts, your child will see and hear many “mixed messages” about drinking through advertising, television programs and movies. Estimates are that children will see over 75,000 drinking scenes before they turn 18 but they probably still won’t know much about alcoholic beverages or the serious health problems that they can cause.

Suggestions to prevent early alcohol use:

• Talk to your children regularly. Commercials for beer and alcohol look very appealing. They may leave the impression that young, attractive adults enjoy themselves ONLY when drinking. Super Bowl Sunday is very near, and often times the most talked about commercials are alcohol related. Talk with your children about the realities of those commercials.
• Explaining alcoholism without trying to “scare them straight”– Addiction affects one in every ten Americans. That is a reality. It does not mean that anyone that has a drink will become an alcoholic but the earlier the onset of drug and or alcohol use the greater the risk of future problems. Addiction is a disease and that an alcoholic or addict is a person who cannot stop using drugs or alcohol once they start, no matter how much it hurts them or the people around them.
• Teens realize that their actions have consequences. Talk about possible consequences with them, recognizing that certain consequences will differ for sons and daughters. Discuss how drinking can interfere with getting good grades in school; Can negatively affect athletic performance; Can make teens more vulnerable to unplanned sexual activity, unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases; Can cause accidents when driving, bicycling, swimming and can increase violent behavior.
• Lock up and/or inventory alcohol. According to focus group results, students indicate the most realistic prevention efforts involve parent engagement (not having alcohol in home – or locking alcohol up)
• Don’t allow alcohol parties – supervise youth at parties and sleepovers.

As parents we can make a difference! For more information on substance abuse education, prevention and Recovery, please visit my website

www.beyondthetunnelvision.org

I recently read an article titled “Is SUICIDE an unforgivable sin?” linked to a Facebook post by Reasons For Hope http://www.rforh.com/blog/is-suicide-an-unforgivable-sin/. I think this may be the WORST article I have read yet about Christianity and suicide. The article begins with this: “Let me begin by saying, I don’t believe that most churches teach a person goes straight to hell if they commit suicide (although there are some churches that teach or imply that). In fact, this is not something that is often addressed in most churches, and yet with the increasing rate of suicide it needs to be addressed” Kudos for at least acknowledging that suicide needs to be addressed… During the article the term committed suicide is used over and over again…

I tried contacting the author to educate her but was not successful. First, please, please stop saying COMMIT suicide. Say “died by suicide” or “died unexpectedly” or just plain “died”… When we use the words commit it implies criminality, shame, guilt, etc… That not a good way to pay our respect and it also sends a negative message to those who may still be struggling. If a person who has suicidal ideations hears that negative connotation it sends another message to them reminding them how “bad” they are… How shameful. Adding shame or making someone feel like a bad person isn’t inviting anyone to ask for help…

Ok, that covers the language piece… Now for the worst part of the article. The other states “Sadly, many Christians experience dark seasons of the soul and fail to find the comfort they need in Jesus. And tragically, some have taken their own life. This is why it is important to spend time in prayer and in reading the Bible, so, when a storm threatens to overtake us, we are prepared to find comfort and strength in Jesus and His Word. The Bible will give us the answers we need to deal with all problems in life, and in prayer our faith will grow stronger and we can find peace and comfort. These practices will build a foundation to stand upon in our darkest days.With all that said, we must acknowledge that there have been prepared believers who have lost their “footings” and have fallen and have taken their own lives. So is suicide a sin? Yes, it is. Suicide is the taking of human life.” Why don’t they mention that this is an ILLNESS? The Christ I know and worship will not punish for having a debilitating illness. He doesn’t punish those that die from cancer, diabetes or heart failure… Why would he punish for dying as a result of untreated or under-treated mental illness? This sickens me. As a Christian who works everyday of my life to shed light on substance abuse and mental health issues I take offense to peoples blatant disregard for other peoples wellness. I appreciate the power of prayer, but I also appreciate the severity of untreated mental illness… Is this author really stating that people that die from diabetes die because they didn’t pray hard enough? There is NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DIABETES AND MENTAL ILLNESS. Diabetes is the result of a chemical imbalance in the body; too much insulin or not enough. Mental illness is the result of a chemical imbalance in the brain. Lets stop treating mental illness and addiction as a choice.