THE PLAINTIVE TALE OF "MARK," WHO NEEDS HELP TO BEAT A MARIJUANA HABIT

From the very start, Mark seemed destined to be a modern-day Renaissance
man. It wasn't that he was such an exceptional student -- his grades were
pretty average. But he had made varsity swimming and was an accomplished
guitarist with a local coffeehouse jazz band.

At 15, his talents were many, and he seemed to have the world at his feet.

Life was good. He didn't want to "escape," as many teens do. So when he
started smoking marijuana, it was really just a new thing to do with his
friends.

He didn't see any real harm in it.

[Sidebar: The National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information
offers free materials that can help young people and adults understand the
impact of marijuana and other drugs. Contact the clearinghouse 800-729-6686
(TDD 1-800-487-4889) or at http://www.health.org their website. Or call
Alcohol and Drug Services in Greensboro at 333-6860 or in High Point at
882-2125.]

Mark is one of many teenagers smoking marijuana today. In fact, after more
than a decade of steady decline, marijuana use among 12- to 17-year-olds
has risen dramatically -- more than doubling since 1992. Even though 1996
survey dam show a slight decrease in ffie use rate, that's a frightening
statistic, especially considering ffie harmful effects of marijuana use.

Marijuana use impairs memory, learning, motivation and reflexes. Teens
nationwide report that when they smoke marijuana regularly, they lose
interest in their studies and the pursuit of other life goals and are
unable to maintain satisfactory grades and performance levels. The drug
lulls them into indifference, forgetfulness -- or, as some say, a "zombie"
state.

Marijuana use impairs judgment, which can lead to behaviors that have
lifelong negative consequences.

Marijuana use can place kids in dangerous situations. Some people with whom
they smoke may also use other drugs: cocaine, methamphetamine, PCP and more.

They may even mix these drugs with their marijuana, and a friend who uses
it may not even know.

Still, most kids -- and parents -- don't know these things or understand
their consequences.

It's time for a reality check.

As parents and other trusted adults in the lives of teens, we must help
them understand that marijuana is a drug and that using marijuana is
dangerous and can be debilitating to their goals and ambitions.

We must arm our children with the facts about this drug and insights into
where its use can lead.

Consider Mark's case. Within months, he was smoking marijuana four or five
times a week. He no longer cared much about the guitar and rarely made time
for other activities.

As for the swimming team, the coach talked of moving Mark down to the
junior varsity because his times were getting so bad. Then, a friend
offered to get Mark some steroids and methamphetamine. Maybe they would get
him back on track.

Mark was now faced with a tough decision, but with the help of friends who
don't use drugs, or conversation with even one adult whom he can trust, or
response from a community that does not look away from a young person's
drug use, Mark's decision could be the righf one.

Mark could be anyone's child. We, as adults, have a responsibility to
support our children in pursuit of their dreams.

Part of that responsibility means talking with them about drugs -- before
they slip down the path that Mark did.