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Page 2 - Spelman Spotlight Editorial What’s New With Marijuana By Stephanie Nelson Do you know what happens to your body each time you take a hit from a joint of mari juana? “Reefer,” as it is commonly called, along with other intoxicants such as liquor and cigarettes has been used by just about everybody at some time. The effects of alcohol and cigarettes have been highly publicized to the public. (Take a look on the side of the KOOL pack.) In addition, medical authorities made sure we all knew that alcohol destroys brain cells. Information on the effects of marijuana given to the public over recent years hasn’t been as conclusive as it could have been. As a matter of fact it’s been confusing to me. What are the latest findings? Where does the public stand? In an effort to provide up-to-the-minute news on the use and effects of marijuana, Norman E. Zinberg, one noted authority, has considered report findings in which mari juana use was examined on selected areas of human behavior. Zinberg, who serves as a consultant to drug research programs and as a psychiatrist found that none of the research conducted up to now has been upheld by other findings or proven to be true. Granted that the scientific studies used to. demonstrate the ill effects of marijuana have given the public something to fear, Zinberg also cites controlled experiments that provide evidence which was contrary to these findings. For example, during the early 70’s there were numerous reports that illustrated the belief that marijuana use reduces the capacity to think straight. This “amotivational syndrome” cited by sources such as the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, was disputed when the DODRH findings showed no difference between users and nonusers. Another significant report, the Jamaica report, where users smoked seven to 25 joints a day of Jamaican herb as compared to a con trol group of nonusers, also contested that there was no difference. In Jamaica where the testing was done the research team found marijuana use heavy and wide-spread. They also found that it was used in other ways such as brewed, rubbed on and associated with many legends about its use in medicine. In 1975 the Drug Abuse Council reported that one year after legalization in Oregon, no serious problems had arisen. At the same time, in July of that same year, another researcher, Reese T. Jones conducted studies on 42 volunteers. After being given 210 milligrams of THC (approximately 50-100 joints a day) his volunteers showed tolerance and dependence on marijuana. Another myth about marijuana was that smoking can lead to heroin use. This seems to be an idea thatcauses apprehension in many parents and users. As far back as 1963 The Kennedy Commission, along with later reports, disproved that theory. A very significant study in this area was pointed out by Mr. Zinberg. The study was done by David F. Duncan of the University of Texas. After experimenting with heroin addicts, Mr. Dun can’s study showed that alcohol was the first intoxicant used by 73 per cent of the addicts, marijuana was rarely attributed as the first drug. He believed nevertheless, that there is no stepping-stone process to heroin. Mr. Zinberg’s study published in Psychology Today definitely deserves checking out by smokers and non-smokers alike. He gives recent information on the marijuana research programs. His report deals with the areas of general health, sex impairment as well as brain damage and marijuana’s effects on them. Get the facts before you smoke! Cadillac or Bust Bv Shirley Henderson For the black man in America the epitome of success is often said to be the big car - preferably a Cadillac. Blacks are known to have such a love for big cars that they will often have one to the exclusion of all else, including a decent house and food for the kids. A phenomenon like this exists because of the ever-present myth that the big car equals success in the eyes of society. Houses are important, clothes too are important, but a car can turn “amouse into a man.” This four wheeled, 16-powered, diamond-backed „ sun-roofed, CB radioed hunk of steel can make or break a man in front of his peers. Psychologically, cars represent a shell in which the' driver can feel safe from all adversities, be admired by everyone and yet be untouched by the problems which they present. He is set apart in his own small world. Advertisers have created this myth which equate big cars with success. They have made a big car a qualification for success and those who don’t have one can not be considered successful. After all, a Volkswagen could never fill the place of a Cadillac in the American ideal of success. Advertisers create gorgeous automobile ads, complete with breathtaking views and beautiful girls, to give a preview of the buyer’s life and loves after and as a result of his new Buick or Lincoln. This myth should not be taken seriously, for truly the car does notmaketheman and the advertisers do not make the cars, only the MYTHS. r 1 I Bus for Full Employment | I March leaves Spelman j I 10:00 am Saturday j I J SPOTLIGHT STAFF Editor-in-chief Associate Editor .... Copy Editor Feature Editor Business Manager .. Secretary Photographers Advertisement Staff Lei Charlton Stephanie Nelson JoAnn McLean Amanda Seward Pamela Broom India Burton Roxie Hughes Pamela James Adrienne Pack Joyce Winters Graphics Reporters: Monteith Mitchell Tandra Dawson Josette Cole Tanya Clarkson Rocita Diggs Angelle Cooper Novice Johnson Alison Walton Robyn Mahone Malrey Head Angela Phoenix Office Assistance:... Francine Earl Myma Scott Debra Gilmore Drusheena Kyles Contributing Writers: Neyeswah Abiku Margaret Lee Holly Johnson Betty Harris Romina Mays Advisors: Ms. Judy Gebre-Hewit Mrs. Helen Brooks Ms. Anne Thomas Spelman Spotlight P.O. Box 50 Spelman College Atlanta, GA 30314 (404) 525-1743 Printers: Chapman Publishing Company, Inc. To The Editor: Ms. Lei Charlton, Editor-in- Chief SPELMAN SPOTLIGHT P.O. Box 50 Spelman College To the Editor: On page 4 of the October, 1976 issue of the SPELMAN SPOTLIGHT, there appears an advertisement for a com pany from which research papers may be purchased. As the submitting of work that is not one’s own is academic dishonesty, such an advertisment would seem to be in direct conflict with the goals of Spelman College. I was surprised that the advertisement was accepted in the first place and I hope that it does not appear again. Dr. Stephen Goldfarb Assistant professor Department of History Copies to: President Donald Stewart Dean Edward Riley, Jr. Dr. Goldfarb: I will neither apologize for nor defend the aforementioned advertisement. However, I will say that I was not aware that these papers were actually complete works. I assumed they were research materials which primarily gave sources for investigating various sub ject matter. Since receiving your letter, I have talked with several instructors, particularly in the English Department, who in formed me that research papers have been bought and submitted by students as their own. Consequently, plagiarism is one of the most sensitive problems in that Department. I did not know that these papers had come to such wides pread usage at Spelman. And just as I had not considered the advertisement seriously, I believed others had not either. It was merely an “ad.” It has not been the Spotlight policy to discriminate against advertisers thus far. Perhaps the staff needs to be more selective about advertisements that are submitted so that the integrity of some Spelmanites will not be compromised by submission to such evils as plagiarism. Sincerely, Lei Charlton, Editor-in-Chief Spelman Spotlight