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Show Pa ge 6 HILL TOP TIMES . April 16, 1982 dlforials wli(roy(oirD(Qs Use, abuse leods to of her drugs (Editor's Note: Part two of three parts on what is known about marijuana) By Kelly J. Krizan, M.D. USAF Hospital, Hill Chronic use of marijuana has not been proven to have any harmful effects on one's health. There are reports of increased incidence of bronchitis, asthma and pharyngitis related to chronic use of marijuana. Also, there are fears that chronic use of marijuana will be associated with a greater incidence of lung cancer because of the smoke from marijuana causing precancerous changes in the airways similar to which is a proven tobacco smoke cause of lung cancer. Unfortunately, the time lag between use and cancer is 0 years so there is little data available at 20-3- Hi 1 S tlhry this time, as heavy use of marijuana first began in the 1960s. does not break chromosomes, but may affect the way they pair up in the cell. This is not felt to be a significant change at the present time. The only drug for which clinically Marijuana . significant chromosome damage has. been proven is LSD. Several studies have been unable to demonstrate any deleterious effect of marijuana or THC on DN A synthesis or other cellular V functions. been attempts to have there Although provide a link between marijuana and various mental conditions, there has been no conclusive data. There is a so-call- "amotivational syndrome" characterized by apathy, impaired learning, impaired manual abilities and decreased ability to perform complex : cident involving these same youngsters by making absolutely certain that we comply with the posted speed limits. They were instituted, not arbitrarily, but rather to protect our children and us. The motoring habits of the Utah driver necessarily infiltrate Hill AFB because many of those same drivers work here. And because we military people join them on their highways, we tend to conform to their driving patterns. ofoffOTes non-user- s, National Vol unveer Week regard shown by them for the speed laws imposed by federal and state law. I defy you to drive from the base to Salt Lake City on at 55 miles per hour and have less than 90 percent of the traffic overtake you it's impossible! The same applies to traffic on Hill AFB. Drive the speed limit on any stretch and if there isn't a security policeman in sight, just note how many vehicles overtake 1-- One of the reasons many Hill AFB programs are successful and among the best in the Air Force is the fact that they are run by volunteers. Volunteers are a major part of the American Red Cross, Family Services, youth activities, such as coaches, timers, teachers, etc., Boy and Girl Scout activities, base rodeo, Air Force Invitational Ski Meet, bowling, etc. They touch everyone's life or activity. , Frankly, I've seen previous little 15 For these unsung heroes throughout America, President Ronald Reagan has as National proclaimed April 1 4 Volunteer Week. 8-2- you! back to the Closer to home housing areas. I live on Liberty Road, a street that stretches its length through one of our major housing complexes. It offers the aspiring Mario Andretti a clear shot at the Area D speed record because of the paucity of stop signs, never mind the clearly posted 20 mph speed limit! The only obstacles to impede the onslaught of Detroit's finest remain the offspring of these same drivers. And the machines do fly! I invite anyone to drive from one end of Liberty to the other at 20 mph, and if they haven't passed him by then, to count the number of cars behind him that have been submitted to the indignity of legality. Why harp? My family and I have lived on the same street for more than three years. Injuries have occurred and lip service paid to the continuing problem. The children will always be there; need our thoughtlessness accompany them? SLOW DOWN, PLEASE. Everything advertised in the Hill Top Times must be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to the race, creed, color, national origin or sex of the'purchaser, non-usin- terestingly, the users felt they did more work, did it faster and did it better than even though there was no the measurable difference between the two groups. The statement has been made that marijuana use leads to the use and abuse of other drugs. Indeed, 90 percent of heroin users have "graduated" from marijuana, but this appears to be a sociologic rather than a physiologic phenomenon. Nothing in marijuana dictates that one need go on to another more potent drug. However, it does tend to lead to further drug experimentation in a small percentage of users. Incidentally, nearly all heroin addicts had previously used alcohol to excess. Again, there is no direct link, except to show that the people who abuse narcotics tend to have a problem with other substances, and indeed, with life itself. Unsung heroes high speedways By Maj. Darrell Moyes 1954th RADES Spring is upon us and warm weather activities will doubtless increase as people seek more of the outdoor pastimes. This means, too, that the children who've been kept indoors during the winter months will be flooding the playgrounds and yards in our housing areas, especially as school vacations ap, proach. It brings to mind a letter from the base commander which I received in the mail on April 5. It listed topics discussed at the Area E community meeting on Feb. 8, among which was one reminding parents to keep their children off the streets because of the obvious dangers there. The letter brought to mind a constant threat on the thoroughfares of our base housing areas that of excessive speed by very inconsiderate, thoughtless drivers. The supervision of children in our housing areas is, obviously, first a problem of the parents; but we can all lessen the odds of a serious ac- ed tasks. However, the studies performed to date question whether this really exists and if it does, whether it is the effect or the cause of marijuana use. Still, there is a small percentage of chronic users who increasingly center their lives around marijuana, losing interest in all other pursuits and activities. There is some new evidence of a mild physical addiction to marijuana and that a tolerance develops rapidly. However, this addiction is not nearly so marked as in narcotics, and the withdrawal syndrome is mild. Studies done by the National Institutes of Mental Health on Jamaican farm workers who chronically used marijuana found they performed their jobs as accurately and with the same g fellow productivity as their workers, provided of course that they were not stoned at the time. In user or patron. In making the announcement, President Reagan cited the tradition of volunteerism as beginning with the nation's founders. - , community and national problems. "National Volunteer Week provides heightened, awareness of the substantial contributions citizen volunteers make toward solving public problems through private action. When is a crosswalk unsafe? Two painted lines do not provide protection against oncoming vehicles. The burden of safety has to be on the pedestrian to be alert and cautious while (Safety Office) crossing any street. confirmed violation or rejection of this policy of equal opportunities by an advertiser will result in the refusal to print advertising from that source. A "Over 200 years ago, the men and women who founded America began a tradition that continues in our great country today. That spirit of giving freely to one's neighbor is the wellspring of compassion underlying the essential decency of American life."America has always shared the democratic vision that great deeds spring from the initiative of the individual and the people. The strength and success of our system in many ways stem from the power of voluntary association of citizens to address MorMedia Sales, 1152 West Riverdale Road, Ogden, Utah 84403. Phone Sorry, classified ads by mail only. Send $3 to P.O. Box 445, Roy, Utah 84067. 394-965- 5. |