RISK OF DEATH IS HIGHER IN YOUNG MARIJUANA USERS

According to the Monitoring the Future Study, an ongoing study funded with
grants provided by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, about 75 percent
of eighth-graders polled believed day-to-day use of marijuana was harmful.
That number decreases to about 58 percent for high school seniors.

Although studies have shown marijuana isn't addictive, long-term use can
lead to psychological dependence. Long-term use also can lead to decreased
motivation, concentration and coordination.

A recent study conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration showed marijuana played a part in about 39 percent of
drug-related hospital emergency room visits.

Although the visits weren't for overdoses, the use of marijuana may have
led to serious injury or death in the form of car crashes, accidents and
suicides.

Mike Hanrahan, a student assistance counselor at Beacon High School, said
students who use marijuana often don't know they are being adversely affected.

"We've had kids who should have been on varsity sports that were
academically ineligible after they started smoking," he said. "I would
challenge everyone who's smoking to stop for a while and see how it
affected them."