February 10, 2014.

Dear Sir,

I have resisted writing this letter, because I have hopes that common sense will prevail. But now that there is much talk about legalising Marijuana I am fearful that my efforts and warnings may get lost and forgotten.

To think that our Government would consider opening “The Gates of Hell” by allowing Marijuana to become legalised on this lovely little island, to tease and tempt our youth, which in time will be the curse of this lovely little island and the world, is an enigma to me.

Why when all the documentation has shown that it starts slowly altering the brain in such a subtle way that one feels that “I can stop whenever I want to,” that’s the hook, but slowly the pleasure makes you curious about the next and the next and then WHAM. Every person who gets hooked admits it started with prescription drugs, alcohol and or Marijuana, and then went onto a stronger drugs, like cocaine and heroin to get that original rush.

Why would we expose our youth to such horrors? Do you have children? Why not devote our energy’s to health programmes, that are so stimulating and exciting that they will learn they have no time for harmful dangerous unhealthy behaviour. Educate and teach them to love and respect their bodies, help them to strive to be healthy and athletic, start it VERY early in the schools and in the home, spend as much money and time as it takes, yes a lot of money, show them an alternative, show them documentation on the screen, the horrors of addiction.

To address this letter to the one’s who are already using Marijuana, would be wasting your time and mine, as they know all the pit falls already, but to the sweet young innocent healthy minds who will surely be introduced to this evil if this becomes legal, either by curiosity or finding it in their parents or friends homes, or by a bunch of giggly schoolchildren trying it out for a lark or to the young teenagers who are hoping to go to college, get educated and come home and serve their country. Legally I think we should pardon this last group with (1) one warning, before judgment. That way they will have time to readjust their thinking and turn their lives around.

Is this what we want? Do we really want to pass this bill for our youth and our children? Bermuda’s future generation? Because once it is legalised there will be no return, no going back. Go to “Google” and find out the facts, shock your minds and then ask yourselves, will you, should you, pass this bill?

Being a nurse I have seen the horror of the void, that the “Hooked” track about. they say “they are always in recovery”, but there in, lies the HOOK, that empty void that constantly pulls them back in, to be filled again and again and having been filled, in a short while to be filled again, that emptiness. And now starts the misery of addiction and the hell that ensues.

Alcohol is always there too, but not as mind altering as Marijuana, and does not have the element of punishment to contend with, but a graver punishment awaits in the wings for using Marijuana, so should we make it easier for them to get it? Even a small amount? Records show that it always starts with curiosity and that small amount.

One day I predict, it will have to come. Selling drugs will take the death penalty, because they are selling death. NOT using because they need help, but the guy who sells should be shown no mercy.

I thoroughly approve of Marijuana being given for medical reasons, and have seen it to be, very beneficial and helpful in many circumstances.

DIANA WILLIAMS