Global Marijuana March -Alva Oklahoma- Local Coalition "FIGHTS" protest-Sheriffs Department helps Coalition

05/02/07
By Helen Barrett
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The Woods County Coalition which formed to fight substance abuse especially involving minors in the area learned of another planned marijuana march in Alva and Lawton this weekend.

Organizing the local marijuana march is Keary Prophet whose arrest record with the Woods County Sheriff's Department includes several drug-related offenses: Possession of a controlled dangerous substance within 2000 feet of a school; possession with intent to distribute; possession of paraphernalia; and public intoxication.

The Woods County Coalition opposes legalization of marijuana for a variety of reasons based on the following information:

• Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug in the nation.

• Of all youth ages 12-17 in drug treatment in the year 2000, 62 percent had a primary marijuana diagnosis.

• Marijuana contains 50 to 70 percent more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than cigarettes.

• In 2001 marijuana was a contributing factor in more than 110,000 emergency room visits.

• Users are four (4) times more likely to report symptoms of depression.

Many of the proponents of legalization of the drug cite the effects of the drug in treating nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy patients.

A medical form of the drug already exists in pill form, called Marinol which has been available to the public since 1985. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, Marinol contains synthetic THC, the major psychoactive component of marijuana.

Since Marinol is in pill form, it does not produce the harmful health effects associated with smoking marijuana.

In pointing out the dangers of marijuana use, the Coalition states that marijuana affects many skills required for safe driving: alertness, the ability to concentrate, coordination and reaction time. Its effects may last for up to 24 hours.

In addition, 40 percent of adult males tested positive for marijuana at the time of their arrest. The Woods County Coalition will meet again on May 21, 2007 from noon to 1 p.m. at the First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, in Alva.

"Any and everyone is invited and encouraged to attend as we work toward building a healthier family oriented community," Cheryl Ellis R.N. said.

"At our meeting Monday, we discussed what our vision is for the group and came up with the following motto: "empowering our community to promote healthy lifestyles."