REPORT: POT USE GROWING

More than 5 million Americans smoke marijuana. And Richmond County
narcotics investigators are seeing more teens and young adults smoking pot.

Nationwide, marijuana use has increased 20 percent among teens and young
adults -- the age researchers have found to be the peak time for marijuana
use -- according to a federal Drug Enforcement Administration report. While
33 percent of parents said they believe their teen-agers view marijuana as
harmful, only 18 percent of teens -- fewer than one in five -- view smoking
marijuana as risky.

The DEA reported that marijuana use has tripled among eighth-graders since
1991 and doubled among 10th-graders.

``It's viewed as less harsh of a drug as compared to cocaine,'' said
Narcotics Investigator Allan Rollins with the Richmond County Sheriff's
Department.

Of 975 people arrested on drug offenses during the first half of 1999, 376
were cocaine charges and 503 were marijuana charges, Investigator Rollins
said.

Marijuana, one of the most widely used illegal drugs, is one of the easiest
to find and buy, and the penalties are minimal -- making it even more
enticing to the young.

But many people also mistake it as nonaddictive, said Augusta
addictionologist Adair Blackwood.

``One of the hardest drugs to get people off of is marijuana,'' he said.
``But it doesn't have the withdrawal phenomenon that other drugs do.''

The body doesn't go through physical withdrawal symptoms such as sweating,
shaking and nausea. But because marijuana, like other drugs, affects the
``pleasure center'' of the brain, it is highly addictive.

``Considering the speed at which it hits the brain, it's like an instant
euphoria,'' Dr. Blackwood said. ``Any substance that you take through the
lungs is like an IV (intravenous) drug. The addiction escalates and you
need more and more to achieve that euphoria.''

The drug acts as a ``social lubricant'' and for shy, young teens looking to
fit in, marijuana will reduce inhibitions and help transform a personality.

``That's the hallmark of these kinds of drugs, the change in personality,''
Dr. Blackwood said. ``Someone who is more a wallflower type of person is
more socially interactive.''