Example Olympics

Legal or not the dangers remain

 Dr. William Bennett discusses the dangers of marijuana in his recent CNN column.

 

(CNN) -- President George H.W. Bush appointed me as the nation's first director of national drug control policy -- or "drug czar" -- in 1989. We took on many big fights, the largest of which was the cocaine epidemic spreading from the jungles of Colombia to the streets of the United States. We conducted an all-out assault on drugs through tough enforcement measures and public education. Contrary to "war on drugs" critics, drug use and addiction dropped across the country.

The issue of marijuana legalization was far less prominent than it is today, although even then, some argued that we should experiment with legalization. I told them not on my watch; the cost to society would be too great.

 

If you don't want to take my word that it can be harmful, perhaps you'll take Lady Gaga's.

In a recent interview, the world-famous pop star admitted she was heavily addicted to marijuana. "I have been addicted to it and it's ultimately related to anxiety coping and it's a form of self-medication and I was smoking up to 15 or 20 marijuana cigarettes a day with no tobacco," she said. "I was living on a totally other psychedelic plane, numbing myself completely."

 

Lady Gaga said she was speaking out to bust the myth that marijuana is just a harmless plant. "I just want young kids to know that you actually can become addicted to it, and there's this sentiment that you can't and that's actually not true."

Today a fully functioning experiment in legal marijuana for adults is going on in Colorado and another one is set to begin later this year in Washington. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis once remarked that in our democratic Republic, the states are the laboratories of democracy. We are running a few labs now and shall see what happens.

But, as with any public debate, we need to hear all sides. So far, the advocates of marijuana legalization have dominated the public arena. It's certainly had an effect. According to a new CNN poll, a majority of Americans support legalizing marijuana. But where are the voices of the wounded? Where is the outrage from the families who have been hurt?

 We know they are out there. More Americans are admitted to treatment facilities for marijuana use than any other illegal drug.

 

I've talked to parents all over the country who lost children to drug abuse -- not to marijuana alone; though in many cases it was a gateway drug or part of their deadly drug concoction. People have been deeply hurt by drug related accidents or spent thousands of dollars on drug rehabilitation. We need to hear their voices.

 

During my tenure as drug czar, I traveled to more than 120 communities to see firsthand the impact of illegal drugs. Among those visits was a trip to Boston to take part in drug busts in some of the city's most broken and dangerous neighborhoods. Not once during that visit did a parent or community leader advocate for legalization or loosening drug restrictions. Rather, they wanted the drugs confiscated and drug dealers locked up. They knew the damage drugs had inflicted on their children and communities.

 

That same evening Harvard University held a discussion on drugs and law enforcement. There I listened to scores of academics argue for legalizing or decriminalizing drugs.

It's hardly an exercise in intellectual rigor for those in the middle- and upper-class who live in areas with little crime and violence to be willing to experiment with drug legalization. They live far removed from the realities of the drug trade. But travel to its core, to the slums and projects run by ruthless drug dealers, and these intellectuals may rethink their position.

It's a myth that marijuana, because it is not as harmful as cocaine, heroin or some other illegal hard drugs, is safe or safe enough to warrant legalization. Opponents contest that marijuana hasn't ravaged communities or that the drug itself isn't to blame.

 

But that's not true. It's ravaged the community of the young.

Marijuana is the most widely used drug in the country, especially among young people. According to the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, "of the 7.3 million persons aged 12 or older classified with illicit drug dependence or abuse in 2012, 4.3 million persons had marijuana dependence or abuse," making marijuana the drug with the largest number of people with dependence or abuse.

The medical community has warned about the danger.

A recent Northwestern University study found that marijuana users have abnormal brain structure and poor memory and that chronic marijuana abuse may lead to brain changes resembling schizophrenia. The study also reported that the younger the person starts using marijuana, the worse the effects become.

In its own report arguing against marijuana legalization, the American Medical Association said: "Heavy cannabis use in adolescence causes persistent impairments in neurocognitive performance and IQ, and use is associated with increased rates of anxiety, mood and psychotic thought disorders."

The country can ill-afford a costly experiment with drugs. While we are undergoing a national debate over improving health care costs and education performance, legalizing marijuana will undercut those vital missions.

We will wait and see what Colorado's and Washington's experiments hold, but I expect that after several years, we will see marijuana use rise dramatically, even among adolescents. The states will come to regret their decisions.

As the late, great political scientist James Q. Wilson remarked, "The central problem with legalizing drugs is that it will increase drug consumption" -- and all its inherent harm.

 

Editor's note: William J. Bennett is the author of "The Book of Man: Readings on the Path to Manhood." He was U.S. secretary of education from 1985 to 1988 and director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy under President George H.W. Bush.

A test you can't fail

Final EXAMple

Final EXAMple is the only answer you need.

Franky is in the red canoe and Sally is in the green canoe.  Cousin Vinny didn't use sunscreen. If all three left at the same time but Vinny stopped at the store for olives, how much older is he than his mom's twin brother?

You need a break. Seriously.  Exam week can be tough on everyone, including cousin Vinny. Example has just what you need: Final EXAMple.

No, it's not the last Example event ever.  It's just a great way to relax after exam week, laugh, enjoy the blessings of friends and continue encouraging others to avoid the consequences of drugs and alcohol. 

Final EXAMple is Saturday, January 18 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm.  The cost is $3.00

There are 11,500 reasons to read this post

Don't fail this quiz.

 

 

Beer and wine are safer than liquor.

 

 I can drink alcohol and not have any problems.

 

All of the other kids drink alcohol.

 

The answers may surprise you.

 

 

Avoid becoming a statistic by knowing some

Christmas vacation is around the corner. It's a great time to be away from school, close to family and friends and worship the Savior that was the greatest Christmas present we have ever received. 


Unfortunately, this time of year also includes a rise in alcohol-related accidents. Avoid becoming a statistic by knowing some.

According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), deaths from drinking and driving spike around the holidays, with alcohol being blamed for about 52 percent of fatal collisions on Christmas and 57 percent on New Years compared to a rate of 41 percent for the entire year. In addition to the more than 1,200 alcohol-related deaths that will occur on the road this holiday season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that more than 25,000 people will be injured.

So what can you do? 

For starters, plan on attending Example's Christmas party.  There you will find fun and cookies and pizza and white elephants and ugly Christmas sweaters.  You will also find young men and women who are not interested in drinking or using drugs.  You will find young men and women who daily face the challenges and temptations of drugs and alcohol, but are striving to make God-pleasing decisions. 

The Example Christmas party is Saturday, December 14 beginning at 7:00. The cost is $3.00.  Lutheran North students only. 

Contact Mr. Brandt if you have any questions.  

Wrap that white elephant; Example's Christmas party is here!

Dust off that hideous Christmas sweater for Example's Christmas Party on Saturday, December 14 at 7:00. Don't have a Christmas sweater that will turn heads and stomachs? Fret not. Cajole Aunt Ethel, cousin Matilda or ol' Uncle Ernie to let you wear one of their sweaters for the evening.  They will be happy you asked them; you will be thrilled when you best all competitors at the Christmas event.

There will also be a white elephant gift exchange.  Wrap a funny, creative or quirky gift. Tell nobody what it is.  Don't even write your name on the TO: __________________  FROM: _____________ ticket.  The surprise will be greater if nobody knows it was you who gift-wrapped a live gold fish in its own water-filled bowl.

The festivities begin at 7:00 p.m. 

The cost is $3.00 and this is for Lutheran North students only.

Who is 5 times more likely to develop alcohol abuse?

Parents and students please know the research about alcohol and drug use; know that alcohol use is not an inevitable component of middle school or high school. 

 

Age of First Use of Alcohol and Drugs:

Using alcohol and drugs before the brain has fully developed increases your risk for future addiction to alcohol and drugs dramatically.  Young people who start drinking alcohol before age 15 are 5 times more likely to develop alcohol abuse or dependence than people who first used alcohol at age 21 or older.  Research for drug use and drug addiction has found similar results.

Learn more about the dangers of underage drinking and drug use.

Example's SHOCKtober event

Example's SHOCKtober event is this Saturday, October 26 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm.

Cost: $3.00. North students only.

Here are three reasons that demand your attendance.

1.  Costume Contest:

  Compete in one of the following categories and win fabulous and really good prizes:
Most Creative Costume,
Most Like an LHN Teacher Costume,
 Scariest Costume,
Best Literary Author Costume,
Best I-Just-Wanted-To-Wear-A-Costume-And-Not-Compete Costume,
Best Book Cover Costume

2. Carved Pumpkin Contest
Bring your already carved pumpkin and dazzle your friends by competing in one of the following categories:
 Scariest Pumpkin, 
Funniest Pumpkin, 
Best Dressed Pumpkin, 
Most Creative/Unusual Pumpkin, 
Best TeacherFace Pumpkin.

The pumpkins must be carved.  While Mr. Faszholz may appreciate your drawing skills, we want to appreciate your carving skills.

 



3. Puffy, Sugary Mallow of Marsh Spitting Contest

Due to the squeamish nature of many Internet viewers we cannot be held responsible for any stomach churning reactions.  As a result we refrain from publishing pictures of puffy, sugary mallows of marsh being projected across the gym floor.