DRUG ABUSE

Recent figures on drug abuse by young people show a disturbing trend that
ought to give parents pause to reflect on the messages - overt and
otherwise - that they are sending to their children.

The statistics come from the annual National Household Survey on Drug
Abuse, which found an overall increase in the number of children using
illicit drugs, especially marijuana.

In the critical 12-17 age group, 11.4 percent reported using some illegal
drug within the previous month, compared to 9 percent the prior year.
Federal officials point with particular concern to the jump in marijuana
use, from 7.1 percent in 1996 to 9.4 percent last year.

They fear that some of that rise may be attributable to the views and
attitudes of the parents, many of whom are baby boomers who grew up during
a time when illegal drug use was prevalent and more widely tolerated, if
not accepted.

Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala notes with alarm that
"the perception of this country is that marijuana is safe, that it's a soft
drug."

Such views belie the reality that marijuana represents a serious health
hazard. Numerous studies have shown that pot smoking can impair learning
and memory, while inflicting physical damage on developing bodies. It also
often serves as a gateway drug, paving the way for children to become
involved with more dangerous drugs.

We doubt there are many parents who openly endorse marijuana use by their
children, but how many are paying only lip service3 to the notion that it's
something harmful that should be avoided? How many are secretly relieved
that their kids are only using pot and not something scarier such as
cocaine or heroin?

In their own youths, many of today's parents did experiment with drugs,
marijuana being the most common. The vast majority outgrew these tendencies
and their lives were essentially unaffected by these indiscretions. That,
however, should not be construed as proof that marijuana use amounts to
little more than youthful hijinx.

Beyond being illegal, drug use is inherently risky behavior that threatens
the health of our children.

Fortunately, in Santa Barbara County parents have allies in the fight to
keep their children drug free. Numerous programs, many under tyhe auspices
of the Fighting Back organization, have helped to reduce the incidence of
drug use by children.

Ultimately, however, it's parents who know better than anyone that their
primary responsibility is to protect their children from harm and nurture
them into healthly, responsible adults.

It's a responsibility that the latest national figures suggest some parents
need to take a little more seriously.

Checked-by: Richard Lake