U. STUDY: DRUGS, DESPAIR STALK TEENS

Troubled adolescents all over Utah particularly girls are becoming
increasingly cavalier about the risks of using drugs and more disconnected
from school and family, according to a new study.

More than half the state's juvenile offenders believe there is ``no great
risk'' of smoking marijuana regularly and almost half find it easy to get
cocaine, LSD or methamphetamine.

The study from the University of Utah gains tragic currency after the Dec.
19 shooting death of Alicia Avila, who reportedly turned to drugs and gangs
in the last year of her life.

``I see more kids than ever before that have a sense of hopelessness,''
said Salt Lake City juvenile probation officer Mike Pepper, who helped
conduct the study. ``I've had kids tell me they don't expect to make it to
be 20. I try to talk to them about their futures, but they don't see that
they have a future. The flavor of despair I see has gone beyond the usual.''

Almost onethird of the young people who have runins with the law are in
serious need of drug treatment, according to the study. And probation
officers are not always qualified to double as drug counselors.

Females who pass through the juvenile court system seem to be in particular
danger, notes the study.

``They have more family conflict, come from families with a history of
antisocial behavior, are not as attached to their families, and do not see
as many opportunities for positive involvement with their families,'' the
report says.