The print., June 03, 1987, Page 2, Image 2

Opinion
Crack-caused death
can be bought cheap
It has been brought increasingly to the attention of the public that a
new drug is on the loose and addicting people in a very short time.
Many of these addicts are teenagers and the drug they are addicted to
is “crack.” Crack is a solid, pellet sized form of Cocaine that can be
smoked.
“Many crack addicts are teens who can buy crack for as
little as $10.”
. While crack may produce intense pleasure in as little as 4-6 seconds,
its high is also short-lived, lasting only 5-7 minutes. This, as well as
many other reasons such as cost, which can be as little as $10 for a
single vial, which is 3/4 to one inch long, is what is turning teens, as
well as others, onto crack.
“Crack can make someone an addict in a matter of
weeks. "
Crack can make someone an addict in a matter of weeks and this
addiction can be as strong as that to heroin. Many of these crack ad­
dicts, as in most cases of drug addiction, believe that crack is safe and
doesn’t cause their health to be affected. They are very wrong. Crack
stimulates the central nervous system and can cause blood pressure to
rise dramatically.
Creating'
opinion page
that hits a nerve
by Stephani Veff
Opinions Editor
Other effects include: narrowed arteries that restrict blood flow to
the heart and may cause a heart attack, the heart may beat erratically
and ineffectively, resulting in death, tremors, convulsions, nausea and
vomiting may occur and the respiratory system may fail.
“Crack causes arteries to narrow and restrict blood flow
to the heart which may cause a heart attack. ”
All of these problems are risked by the crack user because of a
short-lived feeling of well-being and intense pleasure that turns into a
deep depression that causes the user to crave and use more crack.
Clearly this becomes a vicious cycle in which the user often loses his
life.
Drugs make so little sense and yet so many people use them and
become addicted. It is much easier and far cheaper to get “high” off
of life instead of working so hard to die, which is what can ultimately
happen whether the user wants it to or not. ,
“It’s never too late to live-life as it was meant to be lived
and to get a ‘high ’ from just being alive. ”
If you know someone who’s smoking crack or using any drug or if
you are an addict yourself, there is a way out of that vicious circle. Go
to a drug treatment center or to counseling and ask for help.-It’s never
too late to live life as it was meant to be lived and to get a “high” from
just being alive.
Page 2
Well, this isn’t quite how I
wanted to end the year, but I
understand. While I would have
enjoyed a response to my last
editorial (on the smoking
survey), spring fever has hit and
no one feels much like writing in
anymore.
I would like to thank those of
you who have written in over
the last two terms, whether the
letters had anything to do with
my page or not. I enjoyed
reading and printing each one
of them. It’s always nice to
know that someone is reading
the paper you work so hard on.
As a “volunteer” writer for the
paper (I was recruited from my
work study job as office manager
late in fall term), I have learned a
lot about newspaper production
and have enjoyed “hands on” ex­
perience in almost every aspect:
from planning, to writing, to
paste-up.
There were many times when I
felt like just walking out and not
looking back, but there is
something strange about working
on “The Print” - even when
you’re having the worst day and
it seems as if no one has anything
done, you still love it.
The staff has been great to
work with. Although we have
had more than our share of
arguments and disagreements,
the good times out weigh the bad
just like in every other “family.”
I’m going to miss those of the
staff who will be leaving us next
year for bigger and better things,
but I’m looking forward to work­
ing with those who are staying
next year as well as those who will.
be joining us in the fall (hopeful­
ly)-
I’ve had to learn a lot and very
quickly in the past two terms. I
am not a journalism major nor
do I plan to be, but I really liked
“creating” the opinion page. I
thought it would be easy at first,
like I’d just be writing my opi­
nion every week. Boy, was I
wrong. Editorial form is actually
kind of difficult to write in. Even
now, after two terms of practice,
it is still easy to get stuck halfway
through the editorial and wonder
where I’m going with it.
I admit that I have some very
strong opinions about some
things and I tend to write about
the same issues often, but I
always welcome feedback,
whether it be positive or negative.
At least I’d know if I am doing a
good job of hitting a nerve or
two. Anyway, I’d just like to say
I’m looking forward to being
back next year and I hope to hit a
few nerves then too. Just don’t be
afraid to write and tell me what
you think next year. Your opi­
nion is just as valuable as mine.
Thank you for a wonderful year.
The Print
The Print aims to be a fair and impartial newspaper covering the college
community. Opinions expressed in The Print do not necessarily reflect
those of the College administration, faculty. Associated Student Govern­
ment or other members of The Print staff. Articles and information ■
published in The Print can Be reprinted only with permission from the
Student Publications Office. The Print is a weekly publication distributed
each Wednesday except for Finals Week. Clackamas Community Col­
lege, 19600 S. Molalla Ave., Oregon City, Oregon 97045. Office : Trailer
B. Telephone: 657-8400, ext. 309.
Editor-In-Chief: Heleen Veenstra
Design Editor: Bret Hodgert
Photo Editor: Beth Coffey
Opinions/Copy,jEditor:. Stephani Veff
Feature Editor: Marie Stoppelmoor
Sports Editor: Christopher Curran
Staff Writers: Dean Grey , Jan Hampton,
Sherri Michaels, Mary Prath, Steven Ziolkowski,
■ Tammy Swartzendruber
Photographer: Von Daniel
Artist: Jo Crisp
Layout Staff: Dawn Kuehl, Tom Shauvln,
Judy Singer, April Cooke
Business Manager: Jim Brown
Typesetter: Crystal Penner
Advisor: Linda Vogt
Clackamas Community College