PUBLIC HEALTH GIVES THE STRAIGHT TALK ON POT

The City of Hamilton is continuing its aggressive stance against
marijuana use in the community.

The Substance Abuse Prevention Program of the City's Public Health
and Community Services has launched its 2005 campaign, Straight Talk
on Pot. The campaign asks parents to help dispel the myths that
surround marijuana use, while ultimately keeping the kids in our
community safe.

"Parents need to be aware of what is happening out there with their
youth, and drug use," said Jennifer Jenkins, Health Promotion
Specialist for the City of Hamilton.

"We have a problem; society has shifted its viewpoint on this illegal
drug. There seems to be a growing consensus that marijuana is not
harmful and there is much confusion around its illegal status. The
decriminalization bills may have been introduced, but they have not
been adopted by the federal government."

Choice For Youth

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health's 2003 Ontario Student
Drug Use Survey demonstrates that marijuana is the number one illegal
drug of choice for youth. Furthermore, 40 percent of Canadian kids
aged 11 to 15 say they have used marijuana, said Ms. Jenkins.

View and print off the Straight Talk on Pot parent information sheets
at www.hamilton.ca/publichealth and select Alcohol, Drug and Gambling Programs.