The Nature of Things

Years ago in Israel, I met a young man who spoke English in a halting way with a strong foreign accent. I assumed he was from some Eastern European country, but was shocked to discover that he was American, born and raised. He had apparently "blown his mind" - as we then referred to it - on drugs. Whatever other damage his drug use had done, it had markedly affected his ability to talk.

Over the years, as the press has made us more aware of the health hazards of smoking and drinking, I have wondered why the topic of drug damage to the brain has been avoided.

Why the silence? I often wondered. Is it any less important to know about than the dangers of tobacco smoking, drunken driving, or fetal alcohol syndrome?

So I was happy to see that the topic of how a seemingly "mild" drug like marijuana damages the brain will finally be addressed this week on television, on the Canadian science program, The Nature of Things.

Will this topic finally reach our daily newspapers? I wonder... Or will it be avoided ... because we (the readers) don't want to hear about it?

If you are interested in the topic, "The Downside of High" airs this week:

• It premiers: Thursday January 28, 2010 at 8 pm on CBC-TV

• And will be repeated: Thursday February 4, 2010 at 10 pm ET/PT on CBC News Network

• A 30 minute trailor is available for viewing on the website.