Friday, October 27, 2017

From Mrs. Kreps

This is a wrap up to Anti-Marijuana Campaign:  This was county wide effort from the Monroe County Drug Coalition; The Marijuana focus is always one of controversy since there is medical use and illegal use.  I encourage everyone to focus on the learning.  The effects of Marijuana is a science as far as how it affects the body.  If it is prescribed medically, physicians make a determination that the medicinal benefits of Marijuana outweigh the negative effects it can have on the patient’s body. 

The MHS SPLT team focused on the illegal use of marijuana and the negative effects on the body.  The Monroe County Drug Coalition, law enforcement and our SPLT team do not address the medical benefits that are considered in the prescribed use for it varies from patient to patient and is determined by a health care professional.  Even if it is prescribed, it is important for patients to know the negative effects of marijuana, which the health care professional will explain, so the patient can make the final decision.  We will trust the medical experts to know what is best for their patients and the patients to make the final decision.

Something I would like each of us to consider.  Illegal drug use and people dying from overdoses has greatly increased, not only in our county, but nationwide.  The Monroe County Drug Coalition, which our SPLT team is part of, want to save lives.

Marijuana may seem harmless to some but statistics show that many of those who have died from overdoses started with the illegal use of Marijuana and then progressed to prescription drugs and opioids.  It is opioids, such as heroin, that are causing the highest incidents of deaths.

Some youth thinks Marijuana is not a big deal because they have known an adult who has used it from their teens and have not gone onto other drugs or seem harmed by it.  It is important to remember that when these adults started, the THC levels were in a range from 4 to 5%.  Today many forms of marijuana, especially the editable and vapor versions, have THC levels as high as 50% which increases dependency on the drug as well as stronger negative effects.  The effects of these high levels over your lifetime will then be more severe.  This is what SPLT has tried to convey.  If a doctor determines medically this is a risk worth taking, this is legal and prescribed use.  If you choose to use illegally, which is outside of medical reasons, you are vulnerable to greater health risks.  Study this yourself.  Investigate multiple sources.  If you have further questions, please speak with your family doctor, parents and other health care providers. 

Again, the Monroe County Drug Coalition and our SPLT team want to save lives.   They also want you to make the best possible health decision for you.  I thank them for their efforts.

Have a great weekend.