The National Household Survey on Drug Abuse was released on August 21
and government officials are once again pointing the finger of
condemnation at marijuana. Drug use by young people increased last
year, led by a rise in marijuana smoking among teen-agers who view it
as a "soft drug," a Government survey reported Friday.

Marijuana use among youths 12 to 17 year old increased from 7.1
percent in 1996 to 9.4 percent in 1997. The level for 1997 is still
less than the 14.2 percent estimate for 1979.

Gen. Barry McCaffrey, director of the White House Office on National
Drug Control Policy, said, "This study confirms the significant threat
from illegal drugs to our children."

Mr. McCaffrey failed to mention that the same study found that in 1997
11 million young people age, 12 to 20 abused alcohol. Of this group,
4.8 million, or more than 40 percent, engaged in binge drinking,
meaning they drank five or more drinks on one occasion -- and 2.0
million were heavy drinkers, meaning they drank five or more drinks on
one occasion on five or more days in the past month.

The survey determined that drug use among youths was higher among
those who were currently using alcohol.

It's obvious that government officials are reluctant to identify
alcohol abuse as the primary threat to the health and well-being of
our children. It is also a fact that the liquor industry is buying
political influence.

For example, Edward Bronfman, Jr. and his company Seagram distributed
$1.2 million in soft money during the 1996 elections, 56 percent to
Democrats. Seagram's PAC gave another $87,000 directly to political
campaigns. The Distilled Spirits Council distributed nearly $186,000
in PAC contributions and soft money.

It's apparent that self-serving government officials pose a greater
threat to our nation's youth than illegal drugs.

Walter F. Wouk - president NORML in Schoharie P.O. Box 87 Howes Cave,
NY 12092