Gateway effect
Dear Editor,
Thanks for publishing Elizabeth Wehrman's outstanding letter: "Need A Change" (7-05-05).
Like Registered Nurse Wehrman, I have roots in the Midwest.
I grew up in Freeport and Rockford, Ill.
I'd like to add that I have never seen heroin, cocaine or methamphetamine. However, I was offered free samples of these dangerous drugs on several occasions, by my marijuana suppliers, when I was a user of marijuana, which is more than 15 years ago.
(Yet, I've never been offered a free sample of whiskey or vodka when buying beer or wine).
Like the vast majority of marijuana users, I was only interested in marijuana and no other illegal drugs.
Fortunately, I turned down all offers of free samples of other drugs. Unfortunately, many others do not--thus the gateway effect.
Best regards,
Kirk Muse
Mesa, Ariz.