A 'NEW EPIDEMIC' FOR MARIJUANA

Young Criminals Are Smoking Pot More, New Research Indicates

Marijuana use is on the rise for 18- to 20-year-olds who are in trouble
with the law, according to a study published Friday by the National
Institute of Justice, part of the U.S. Justice Department.

The study indicates young adult offenders are turning away from harder
drugs, said one of the researchers on the project.

The rate of marijuana use among the young adult offenders grew from 25
percent in 1991 to 57 percent in 1996, the study found. The rate peaked at
60 percent in 1999, where the figures have since remained.

However, only about 5 percent of the general population smokes marijuana,
the researchers said.

Houston was one of 23 municipalities analyzed. It showed that Houston has
fewer lawbreakers using marijuana than other metropolitan cities.

Marijuana use among all adult lawbreakers -- those 18 and older -- in
Houston dropped from 43 percent in 1988 to 14 percent by 1991. It currently
stands at about 30 percent.

The rate for the 18- to 20-year-old marijuana users in Houston went from a
low of 19 percent in 1992 to 49 percent in 1999, where it has held.

The last figure may be attributable to sampling procedures, researchers
said. They are still below the national average of 60 percent for young
adult offenders who smoke marijuana, however.

Houston police said Friday they weren't immediately able to confirm whether
their figures match those from the study.

The researchers examined data from the Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring
program, known as ADAM, which tracks drug use detected through urine analysis.

"Unlike previous generations of marijuana users, those affected by the new
marijuana epidemic are not expected to go on to harder drugs, like cocaine
or heroin," said Andrew Golub, with the National Development and Research
Institute.

"It would be good news if the new marijuana epidemic is a rejection of
crack and heroin because of the potentially devastating consequences
associated with these drugs," Golub said.

A member of a group that supports legalizing but regulating marijuana use
dismissed some of the conclusions as scare tactics.

"They're getting this data on teen-agers so they can scare the soccer moms
into thinking there are more kids smoking weed these days," said Steve
Nolin, with the Houston chapter of the National Organization for the Reform
of Marijuana Laws. "I think that is a kind of (anti-marijuana) propaganda
so the government can get more money."

What researchers called the "new marijuana epidemic" for young adult
offenders appears to have been in a steady but high-plateau phase for
several years.

in the study.

"Drug-control policies in this population should look more closely at some
of the underlying issues, such as poverty, lack of community and family
support, and lack of educational and career opportunities," said Golub.