TEENS AND DRUGS: SOME GOOD NEWS

An annual teen drug-use survey has been released and the news is
mostly positive.

The survey by the University of Michigan involving 50,000 teens
nationwide found that more kids are just saying no to cigarettes,
alcohol and illegal drugs. The not-so-good news is that teens' use
of prescription drugs is not going down.

The survey tracked the habits of teens from the eighth to 12th
grades. The survey originated in 1975, so there is a fairly reliable
base upon which to make comparisons.

Among the findings: Lifetime use of cigarettes declined 2 percent
among eighth-graders, 1.7 percent among 10th-graders, and 2.8
percent among seniors. Alcohol use declined an average of about 2
percent for all grade categories.

Drug use in general dropped nearly 20 percent in the past four
years, which researchers believe is a reflection of anti-drug
campaigns in schools and communities.

And while the survey shows use of prescription drugs, such as
amphetamines and pain killers, to have remained constant, the good
news is that these are mostly items that can be found in the family
medicine cabinet - and thus in a place over which parents have control.

Parents are the first line of defense against children abusing
cigarettes, alcohol and drugs. It's up to mom and dad and other
family members to be aware of behavioral changes in children,
especially teens, and to intervene as soon as you spot a potential problem.

Scientists know that the teen brain is particularly vulnerable to
drug abuse, and that if a youngster is allowed to continue
undeterred on that path of abuse, there's a far greater chance the
substance abuse will continue into adulthood.

Watch for the signs, and don't hesitate to speak up if you think
it's necessary.