MORE GIRLS SMOKING THAN BOYS

Researchers Call Trend Disturbing As Overall Teen Drug Use Declines

Teenage girls, having already caught up to their male counterparts in
illegal drug use and alcohol consumption, now have the dubious
distinction of surpassing boys in smoking and prescription drug abuse.
In the past two years, in fact, more young women than men started
using marijuana, alcohol and cigarettes, according to government
findings being released today.

The results are doubly disturbing, researchers said, because they run
counter to trends indicating an overall decline in teenage drug use.

Adolescent girls who smoke, drink or take drugs are at a higher risk
of depression, addiction and stunted growth, warns the White House
Office of National Drug Control Policy, which will announce its
findings in New York.

The new analysis is based on the 2004 National Survey on Drug Use and
Health, which interviewed members of 70,000 households.