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And birth leads to death, so let's declare a war on birth. [EMAIL PROTECTED] Study of Twins Backs Marijuana-Drug Link January 22, 2003 By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS A study of Australian twins appears to bolster the theory that marijuana can lead to harder drugs. The researchers found 311 sets of same-sex twins, including 136 sets of identical twins, in which just one twin had smoked marijuana before age 17. Early marijuana smokers were found to be up to five times more likely to move to harder drugs than were their twins. They were about twice as likely to use opiates like heroin and five times as likely to use hallucinogens like LSD. Other studies reached conflicting conclusions. The new study, published today in The Journal of the American Medical Association, is unlikely to still the debate. In an accompanying editorial, Dr. Denise B. Kandel of the psychiatry department at Columbia University said the study did not explain "whether or not a true causal link exists" between marijuana and hard drugs. "An argument can be made," Dr. Kandel wrote, "that even identical twins do not share the same environment during adolescence." The study does not say how marijuana, or cannabis, might lead to harder drugs. "It is often implicitly assumed that using cannabis changes your brain or makes you crave other drugs," said the lead researcher, Dr. Michael T. Lynskey of the Queensland Institute of Medical Research in Australia. "But there are a number of other potential mechanisms, including access to drugs, willingness to break the law and likelihood of engaging in risk-taking behavior." Dr. Lynskey and his colleagues acknowledged that the study had limitations, including relying on participants' reporting their experiences. The participants, whose average age was 30, were asked about their drug use as teenagers. About 46 percent of the early marijuana users reported that they later abused or became dependent on marijuana, and 43 percent had become dependent on alcohol. Cocaine and other stimulants were the most commonly used harder drugs. http://www.nytimes.com/2003/01/22/health/22DRUG.html?ex=1044278375&ei=1&en=959682845d485483 HOW TO ADVERTISE --------------------------------- For information on advertising in e-mail newsletters or other creative advertising opportunities with The New York Times on the Web, please contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit our online media kit at http://www.nytimes.com/adinfo For general information about NYTimes.com, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Copyright 2002 The New York Times Company <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance�not soap-boxing�please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'�with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds�is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/";>ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
