MARIJUANA HAS COMPLEX EFFECT ON TEENS' DEVELOPING BRAINS

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.

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."