MARIJUANA HAS COMPLEX EFFECT ON TEENS' DEVELOPMENT

DEAR ABBY: You were right to tell "Just Saying No" 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. Youths 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 on to
abovetheinfluence.com. Parents can visit theantidrug .com for tips on
talking to their adolescents about drugs and how to get them help if
that conversation begins too late.