MOST NEW POT USERS ARE TEENS

Less Fear Of Drugs Boosts Youth Abuse

From recreational use to prescribed painkiller, the drug marijuana
continues to seep its way through American culture.

As federal agencies talk of an overall decrease in the number of new
marijuana users, they point to a vexing challenge: The majority of new
users continue to be people under the age of 18.

"It doesn't grab the same headlines as crack and heroin, but it hasn't gone
away," said Sgt. Russ Bailey, head of the Dutchess County Drug Task Force.

Some advocates of legalizing marijuana for medical uses claim smoking the
drug provides relief for people suffering from cancer and AIDS. But
opponents say medical marijuana use will make the drug more accessible,
sending the wrong message to children.

According to the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, a yearly survey
conducted by the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the number of new
marijuana users fell from 2.5 million in 1999 to 2 million in 2000.

About 70 percent of those 2 million new users were under the age of 18.

Steven Pressman, director of the Dutchess County Council on Alcohol and
Chemical Dependency, said a number of factors drive kids to marijuana use,
including depression, dysfunctional family structure, peer acceptance,
disposable income and perceived risk.

20% Used Drug Once

"If kids are less scared of it, they tend to use it more," he said.

According to the Monitoring the Future Study, an ongoing study funded with
grants provided by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, about 20 percent
of eighth-graders polled in a national study have used marijuana at least
once in their lives in 2000.

That number rises to about 40 percent for 10th graders and about 49 percent
for 12th graders. Those numbers have stayed roughly the same the past five
years.

Choices for Change, an initiative started by the Dutchess County Children's
Services Council to decrease risk factors for youth and families in
southern Dutchess, conducted its own survey. It found 56 percent of
Wappingers and Beacon high school seniors surveyed said they had tried
marijuana at least once.

Joseph Mangiaracina, principal of John Jay High School in the Wappingers
district, said he wasn't too surprised with the results.

"Some of the kids have mainstreamed it, it's something that they
internalize as a mainstream activity," he said.

Bailey believes marijuana is downplayed because it isn't associated with
the same level of danger or violence as other drugs.

Parents Often Unconcerned

"You've got some parents who find out their kids are smoking marijuana, and
they'll say 'so what,' " he said.

Sean Silverman, vice president of the SUNY New Paltz Chapter of the
National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws, said said the
accessibility of the drug has lent itself to youth use.

"When I was in high school, it was easier for me to get marijuana than it
was for me to get alcohol and tobacco," he said.

According to the Monitoring the Future study, 88.5 percent of seniors
surveyed felt marijuana was easy to obtain. That number decreased to about
77 percent for 10th graders and 47 percent for eighth-graders.

Silverman believes youth marijuana use would decrease if the drug was
legalized and controlled by the federal government in a way similar to
tobacco and alcohol.

Ted Peterson, principal of Poughkeepsie High School, said students there
have been singled out for smoking marijuana.

"There's no doubt that in the morning we'll have some kids who will come
into class high and we'll call their parents," he said. "I can't say that
it's happened recently, but it happens on occasion."

Peterson said the problem usually works itself out when parents are
informed. Others learn to hide their usage.

Robert Benson, a student resource and Drug Abuse Resistance Education
officer at Haviland Middle School, said he's witnessed a few rare cases
where use of marijuana is encouraged by parents.

Despite the societal pressures that exist, Benson said he believes most
kids are afraid of the drug and would rather avoid it. He said they just
needed the emotional support.

"Yes, it's going to come to a point where there's going to be pressure," he
said. "We just want to prepare them for it."

Matt Dingee, a 12-year-old student at Arlington Middle School, said he's
heard of other kids using marijuana and was even asked to try on a couple
of occasions.

"I just tell them 'no,' " he said. "I play sports and stuff and I know it
will mess with my lungs."

Mixed Messages Noted

Ryan Donovan, a sixth-grader at Haviland Middle School in Hyde Park, said
he sees mixed messages regarding drugs in television shows and music videos.

"If they have that kind of stuff, some kids may see and think that it's
OK," he said.

Susan Acosta, quality assurance coordinator for Dutchess County Daytop drug
treatment facilities, said juvenile treatment for marijuana is one of the
most common and difficult substance abuse problems.

"A lot of them would say I don't have problem, I just smoke pot," she said.

Isabel Burk, director of the Health Network, an consultant firm known for
its substance abuse education work around the country, said it's important
for parents to clearly let children know their opinions on drug abuse.

"When watching anti-drug commercials on the television or listening to them
on the radio, you can turn to your kid and give them a very clear, simple
statement," she said.

AT A GLANCE

Drug Use Signs

Things to for parents to look for if they suspect their child is using drugs:

- - They're withdrawn, depressed, tired, or careless about their personal
grooming.

- - They're hostile, uncooperative and frequently break curfews.

- - Their relationships with family members have deteriorated.

- - They're hanging around with a new group of friends.

- - Their grades have slipped and school attendance is irregular.

- - They have lost interest in hobbies, sports and other favorite activities.

- - Their eating and sleeping patterns have changed.

- - They have a hard time concentrating.

- - The eyes are red-rimmed and her nose is runny, but she doesn't have
allergies or a cold.

- - Household money has been disappearing.

- - You have found any of the following in your home: pipes, rolling papers,
small medicine bottles, eye drops, butane lighters, homemade pipes, or
bongs (pipes that use water as a filter) made from soda cans or plastic
beverage containers.

Source: Partnership for a Drug-Free America