Australian Twin Study supports Gateway effects of Marijuana
NORTHWEST CENTER FOR HEALTH & SAFETY
P.O. BOX 5853, PORTLAND, OR 97228-5853
PH: 360-263-5905 FAX: 360-263-3964
January 28, 2003
Australian Twin Study supports Gateway effects of Marijuana
As study after study has shown a relationship between the use of marijuana and the use of other psychoactive and addictive substances, we must ask why there is even a single policy maker left who still supports legalization of such a dangerous substance. Marijuana is now a major cause of drug-related medical and psychiatric emergency room episodes, and annual cannabis-related admissions for substance abuse in the U.S., have passed the quarter million mark and is rising. Liberalizing marijuana laws will only escalate this problem.
The January 22/29, 2003 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reported on a well-controlled study designed to determine whether an individual is "genetically predisposed," or if associations and circumstances (environmental influences) are factors in progression from cannabis use to the use of other psychoactive and addictive substances. The study found that a twin who had used cannabis by age 17 was 2.1 to 5.2 times more likely to use other drugs or be alcohol and drug dependent, than their co-twin who had not used marijuana. And there was very little difference whether the twins were fraternal or identical.
The study concluded by stating: "In particular, early access to and use of cannabis may reduce perceived barriers against the use of other illegal drugs and provide access to these drugs." Every teacher and parent knows that when a child is disruptive or disobedient, and the behavior is not checked, it escalates. And further, it often encourages others to engage in such behavior. Today, laws against marijuana possession often are not enforced or have been abandoned all together, thus making access by youngsters extremely easy. If this trend continues we can expect not only increased marijuana addiction, but also increased use of other psychoactive and addictive substances with a correlating escalation of social consequences.
NOTE: The same issue of JAMA carried an editorial entitled "Does Marijuana Use Cause the Use of Other Drugs?" The author referenced research by Cordoni et al which found cross-sensitization between repeated exposure to THC (the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana) and opiates. "With cross-sensitization, exposure to one class of drug increases consumption of other drug classes, consistent with the existence of a gateway effect."
Reference: "Escalation of Drug Use in Early-Onset Cannabis Users vs Co-twin Controls", Lynskey, et al, JAMA, January 22/29, 2003 - Vol 289.No. 4
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Sandra S. Bennett, Director
gabriel364@aol.com
www.drugandhealthinfo.org
"There is not one ailment of society that isn't caused
or worsened by the use of psychoactive and addictive drugs"
Many Australian states have toyed with the idea of legalising cannabis and/or other drugs. As the reports on these 3 pages make clear, this is not a good idea. The harms far outweigh any potential benefits. The freedoms of individuals must always be tempered with the good of the community, especially the well-being of our young people. If your state or territory is discussing drug law reform or decriminalisation, please write to your local MPs with some of the above information. It is crucial that the truth about the harmful effects of illicit drugs be known as widely as possible. Also, refer to previous issues of the AFA journal for more information on the dangers of drug legalisation.
Family Update, March-April 2003, p. 3