I

am writing in response to Tasha H. of Bangor, who wrote about the legalization of two drugs, marijuana and Ecstasy. I think it is very important that I present the well-researched facts about these two drugs.

Marijuana is a mixture of dried, shredded flowers and leaves of the hemp plant Cannabis sativa. All forms of cannabis are mind-altering drugs that contain delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active chemical in marijuana. They also contain more than 400 other chemicals. Within a few minutes of inhaling marijuana smoke, the user will likely feel, along with intoxication, a dry mouth, rapid heartbeat, some loss of coordination and poor sense of balance, and slower reaction time. These are the initial reactions to using marijuana. It is not safe or effective to parent a child, do your job or operate a motor vehicle under the influence of this drug.

The long-term use of marijuana produces changes in the brain similar to those seen after long-term use of other major drugs. Regardless of the THC content, the amount of tar inhaled by marijuana smokers and the level of carbon monoxide absorbed are three to five times greater than among tobacco smokers. Like cigarette smoking, there are obvious deadly effects.

The second drug Tasha referred to is Ecstasy. The initial effect of this drug is an alert or “hyper” sensation, followed by distortions in time and other changes in perception, such as an enhanced sense of touch. Anxiety, agitation, sweating, chills, faintness and dizziness may occur. Users can become dehydrated, causing dangerous overheating. These conditions can lead to serious heart, kidney and liver problems and even death.

The last comment I want to make is in regard to Tasha’s statement: “It is just a question of responsibility among human beings, and the wisdom to know when enough is enough.” Substance abuse and addiction is not as simple as knowing when enough is enough. Addiction is a disease defined by the American Medical Association; it is not a personal failing. Our clients are kind, wonderful people who did not choose to be alcohol or drug dependent. They all struggle to keep their disease in remission just like diabetics and asthmatics. Their choice to live an alcohol- and drug-free life helps to keep all Mainers safe from the social effects that those who recreationally use marijuana and Ecstasy seem to disregard.

The wonderful part about being an American is having choices, but it is important before you make choices to have all the facts. – Patricia A. Kimball, executive director, Wellspring Inc., Bangor

Ecstasy far from harmless

This is in response to the column “Some drugs should be legalized” in the Dec. 15th paper. The writer is obviously a young lady who has no idea of the consequences of drug use. To say that the drug Ecstasy should be legalized and that one should be able to use this substance around children is not only an ignorant notion, but also shows a total lack of judgment. Hopefully Tasha has no children, and obviously she has never done any research on this drug and what it does to the body and brain. Not only does Ecstasy take a person totally out of reality, but also it does incredible damage that cannot be repaired. I’m sorry, but the benefit of the so-called “sexual enhancement” that she mentions does not compare to the responsibility that people must have when it comes to caring for their children. To say that parents can be fully responsible around their children before, during, and after the use of this drug is just plain stupid.

This writer needs to do research, grow up, and get off the Ecstasy! – Aric Rice, special education teacher, Bangor

Blaming methadone

Why was the death earlier this year of Rockland fisherman John Kenney labeled a “methadone death?” Kenney died of an overdose of two substances, methadone and Valium, that when mixed together are very deadly. Yet it seems society and the law enforcement community are only concerned about who gave him the methadone. Why are the DEA and the sheriff’s department not searching high and low for who gave him the Valium? Why isn’t that person sitting in jail beside his sister, who allegedly gave him the methadone?

Methadone is just a drug like any other drug. When it is in the wrong hands or used the wrong way it can and does result in tragedy. However, it saves far more lives than it hurts. Just ask the thousands of Mainers who are sick with opiate addiction and stuck on a waiting list for methadone treatment. Ask those currently on daily methadone maintenance therapy whether it has saved their lives. Thousands of people living stable, healthier, better lives is not an insignificant amount! It is far greater than the number of people who die “methadone deaths” in Maine each year.

Perhaps, instead of condemning methadone and all those who seek it, we should be asking ourselves why it is that John Kenney couldn’t get into treatment himself, instead of having to rely on his sister to help him. Imagine how drastically different this holiday season would be for his family and all who loved him had methadone treatment been more readily available. – Kristan Hilchey, director, Advocates for Recovery Through Medicine (ARM) Maine Chapter, Thomaston

Please join our weekly conversation about Maine’s substance abuse problem – we welcome comments or questions from all perspectives. Send e-mail to findingafix@bangordailynews.net. or phone the column response line at (207) 990-8111. Letters may be mailed to a , Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04401.