FOR THE YOUNG, ALCOHOL IS THE DRUG OF CHOICE

The "hype'' regarding the recent Monitoring the Future Study underscores
the misinformation that permeates the "war on drugs.'' Once again marijuana
is singled out as the "the most widely used drug among adolescents.'' But
the study indicates that alcohol is the primary drug of abuse among young
people, a fact that did not make the headlines.

The study indicated that 31 percent of high school seniors, 25 percent of
sophomores and 15 percent of eighthgraders admitted to binge drinking,
defined as consuming five or more drinks in a row, on one occasion or more
in the previous two weeks. Among 12thgraders, pastyear use of alcohol
increased from 72.5 percent in 1996 to 74.8 percent in 1997.

There were about 9 million current alcohol (including beer, wine, and
distilled spirits) drinkers under age 21 in 1996. Of these, 4.4 million
were binge drinkers, including 1.9 million heavy drinkers. Yet government
officials never talk about waging war on "Bud.''

Walter F. Wouk,
President,
National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws
Schoharie, NY