DRUG MESSAGE SEEPING THROUGH

Trends In Right Direction Means More Support Ought To Follow.

Sometimes it seems that the constant harping to teens about the devastating
effects of drugs falls on deaf ears. But, surprise: the message is
evidently getting through.

The Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse surveyed more than 200,000
students from grades 4 through high school seniors and found that drug,
alcohol and tobacco use is down. The percentage of students who said they
used alcohol, tobacco or illegal drugs dropped in comparison with the
findings of a survey conducted in 1998. The best news was in tobacco use;
the percentage who responded with a "yes" dropped 15 percent. Also
encouraging was the drop in alcohol use: It was down 5 percent. The battle
against underage drinking is by no means won, and can't even be considered
to be under control when more than half a million Texas teens are
considered heavy drinkers. Overall, though the numbers are going in the
right direction. The findings of the survey show that more progress can be
made if more money is spent to spread the message. The commission spent
$67.8 million on prevention and intervention programs last year, up more
than $36 million from six years before. It should be no surprise that the
drop in usage corresponds with an increase in spending to spreading the message.