DECRIMINALIZING POT COULD HARM U.S. KIDS, STUDY SAYS

WASHINGTON -- While a congressional committee discussed the possible
decriminalization of illegal drugs, the National Center on Addiction and
Substance Abuse at Columbia University released a study Tuesday arguing that
decriminalizing marijuana could threaten millions of American children.

Decriminalization has been proposed by some because of the enormous economic
and social impact of imprisoning hundreds of thousands of drug users.

"Prohibition is hurting us," said Robert Stewart of the Drug Policy
Foundation in Washington, which advocates legalizing marijuana.

Members of Congress rejected that view Tuesday as the House Subcommittee on
Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources heard testimony on
drug-legalization proposals.

"Drug legalization threatens to undermine our society," said Rep. Charles
Rangel, D-N.Y., former chair of the Congressional Narcotics Abuse and
Control Caucus.

The report by the Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse supports that
view. The study found that in 1996 more teens entered treatment for abusing
marijuana than for any other drug, including alcohol. Nearly as many
children were admitted for marijuana treatment as for all other substances
combined.

Out of 181,784 teens and children who entered treatment in 1996, nearly half
were admitted for abusing marijuana. About 35,069 were admitted for alcohol
with a secondary drug, 21,594 for alcohol alone. About 5,323 were treated
for using cocaine, 4,354 for methamphetamines and 4,166 for heroin.