MORE TEENS SMOKING POT

Rise Here Mirrors Ontario

Marijuana use among adolescents has mushroomed dramatically in
Alberta, says an official with the Alberta Alcohol an Drug Abuse Commission.

The results of an Ontario study showing the use of marijuana among
teens has skyrocketed in that province to late-1970s levels mirrors
Alberta, said ADAAC's Nancy Snowball.

"It's in line with a trend that's already happening, which is an
increase in cannabis and tobacco use," said Snowball.

The study by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health shows the
number of teens who have smoked marijuana has gone from 13% in 1993 to
more than 30% in the past year.

Snowball said evidence from AADAC counsellors indicates a rise in
cannabis use among Alberta teens.

"They're seeing a lot more of it and the ones they see using marijuana
are usually using something else, too," she said.

Societal messages downplaying the dangers of marijuana and endorsing
its decriminalization is one factor for the increased popularity of
the drug, said Snowball.

"If I'm a young person hearing adults say it's not so harmful, then it
makes it easier to cross the line and use it," said Snowball.

The relatively low price and easy access to marijuana are other
factors, she said.

The head of the city police drug unit agreed marijuana is easy to find
while the price has risen little over the years.

"There's lots of grass in Calgary and the price has been pretty
constant," said Staff Sgt. Paul Laventure.

A quarter-ounce of marijuana -- a frequently bought smaller quantity
- -- has remained in the $75 to $80 range for nearly 20 years.

But the potency of the drug has increased dramatically -- in some
cases by as much as 10 times from the 1970s, said Laventure.

He said Calgary-area police have fewer resources to combat the
marijuana trade after local RCMP reassigned two of their officers
earlier this year.

"We do as much as we can with what we have," said Laventure.

Alcohol abuse remains by far the largest substance abuse problem among
Alberta teens, with 1996 statistics showing 55% of youths drank at
least once in the past year, said the AADAC's Snowball.