Regarding the March 5 article featuring Dean Lari’s invitation to the assembly and police chief to try marijuana, I invite the assembly and police chief to see the stories from folks who are enrolled in the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Command program, a residential treatment program, to hear the stories about drugs, about lives out of control and the role pot plays in that. Go to http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/adult-rehabilitation.
I invite the assembly to consider the health effects of smoking pot, the amounts of tar deposited in the lungs and the amount of health problems with another inhaled smoke. I invite the assembly to consider the idea that no one is sitting in Southern California thinking about moving to Haines because they can smoke pot, and if they are, do you really think that individual is going to be a good citizen? At least the pot smokers we have here are our pot smokers, even though they too need to quit. Pot is not the answer. Pot is not a good choice. Legal, medical pot I have no issue with. But I come from Eugene, Ore., so it is with no hesitation that I invite the assembly to Google “Oregon Country Fair” in Veneta, Ore. It too was a beautiful, artsy, small town locale – until pot got hold of it. If we can limit it, we should. And, for the smokers, I smoked pot for 10 years. I am your peer, and it is time to quit. Come see me; we will get you into rehab.
Lt. David Kyle
Haines Salvation Army