TROUBLED TEENS FOUND PRONE TO POT ADDICTION

Researchers have identified a group of teen-agers-those with serious prior
behavioral problems-who are likely to develop rapid dependence on marijuana
once they start using the drug.

It took only a year, on average, for troubled teen-agers to progress from
first use of marijuana to monthly use - almost as quickly as they
progressed to regular cigarette smoking, according to a study published in
the current issue of Addiction Research and Treatment, a scientific
journal.

By contrast, it took more than two years for this group, who were 13 to 19
years old, to get to the same point with alcohol after they first tried it,
the study found.

The finding may help target prevention messages and treatment for teens
most susceptible to marijuana dependency.