TIME TO COME CLEAN

Re: The A, B, Cs of drug abuse, Aug. 23.

Indeed today's teens are savvy enough to engage the truth about drug
use beyond the trite "just say no" slogan. Teaching 13-year-olds that
the harm associated with marijuana is "relatively minor for moderate
users" sells teens short.

Recent research reports that marijuana use is particularly harmful
for young teens. Studies suggest that cannabis use among teens may
lead to depression and precipitate schizophrenia in those already at
risk due to personal or family history.

Other studies have associated marijuana with lower grades, less
satisfaction with school and poor school performance.

Marijuana use by Canadian teens is among the highest in the world.
Perhaps it is time adults come clean about the health risks to youth
associated with smoking up.

Peter Jon Mitchell, Ottawa

Research analyst

Institute of Marriage and Family Canada