MARIJUANA HAS COMPLEX EFFECT ON TEENS' DEVELOPING BRAINS

DEAR ABBY: You were right to tell "Just Saying No" (Jan. 16) that his
pot-smoking classmates could be headed for addiction or other
problems. I worry that marijuana poses more risks to teens than they
- - or their parents - recognize. More kids need professional help
kicking marijuana than for all other drugs combined. It is not a
"harmless" drug.

School failure, which you mentioned, could be only the first of many
problems daily pot smokers may experience. Researchers have a long
way to go in understanding the complexity of brain function, but we
know that illicit drug use changes the developing brain. Many young
people smoke pot before their brain development is settled, and their
chronic use of the drug can affect certain centers in the brain that
control emotion and reason.

Research shows that regular use of marijuana may also lead to mental
health problems. Youth who use marijuana weekly have double the risk
of depression later in life, and are three times more likely than
non-users to have suicidal thoughts. - MARC GALANTER, M.D., DIRECTOR,
DIVISION OF ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ABUSE, NEW YORK UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER

DEAR DR. GALANTER: Thank you for lending your expertise on this
subject. I am sure many teens and their parents will find your letter
enlightening.

If they wish, younger readers can read and consider the latest
scientific facts about marijuana and other drugs by logging onto
www.abovetheinfluence.com. Parents can visit www.theantidrug.com for
tips on talking to their adolescents and teens about drugs and how to
get them help if that conversation begins "too late."