YOUNG PEOPLE GET MESSAGE ON DRUGS

There has been plenty of bad news in recent months about illicit drug use,
particularly in regard to highly destructive methamphetamine.

But there's a little good news for a change from an ongoing federal survey
of teenage drug and tobacco use: Fewer teens are using illegal drugs and
tobacco today than was the case a few years ago.

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an annual survey
of close to 70,000 people, illegal drug use among those ages 12-17 dropped
from 11.6 percent of the group to 10.6 percent-a 9 percent
reduction-between 2002 and 2004. Tobacco use also declined slightly, from
30.4 percent of 12- to 17-year-olds to 29.2 percent.

The survey results serve as confirmation of a very welcome trend that began
a few years ago: Twenty years of persistent education about the hazards of
illegal drugs, beginning with former First Lady Nancy Reagan's "Just Say
No" campaign, seems to be paying off in a somewhat healthier mindset among
today's teenagers.

From an early age, most kids have been getting a strong message from
schools, youth groups and other community organizations that use of illegal
drugs and tobacco is dangerous and stupid.

There still is far too much illegal drug use, of course, so the battle must
continue. The instant addictive properties of methamphetamine and the speed
with which its use can destroy lives calls for especially strong renewal of
anti-drug efforts.

Meth notwithstanding, the overall trend is a good one, and it shows the
battle against illegal drugs and tobacco use by young people is one well
worth fighting.