POT USE, POTENCY HIGHER THAN EVER

More than 50 Islanders -- one quarter of them teens -- recently heard
a presentation by Stephen Bogan on the dangers to the youth of our
Island due to marijuana use.

Bogan, an Islander who has worked for the Washington State Division of
Alcohol and Substance Abuse for more than 12 years, provided current
research regarding the use of marijuana, which surprised many in
attendance and challenged previously held conceptions of a drug that
enjoys a high degree of tolerance on Vashon.

The evening began with a lighthearted look at "Reefer Madness," the
sensationalistic 1936 movie, then quickly took a serious look at some
scary facts.

While I can't speak for everyone in attendance, discussion following
the event illuminated that many adults felt they learned a great deal
about the physical, social and mental damage that marijuana use can
have on a developing adolescent mind and body.

The potency of marijuana has increased from .5 to 1.5 percent THC (the
powerful compound in marijuana which causes physical reactions) in the
1960s through the early 1990s, to current levels of 8 to 20 percent
THC. Some Canadian officials report levels as high as 29 percent. The
reasons for these increases can be linked mainly to better growing
science and technology.

The equivalent in alcohol terms would be the difference between
drinking a beer and drinking straight Everclear.

During the past decade more youth were admitted to treatment centers
for marijuana than alcohol abuse, a flip-flop front the past.

Washington state has seen a 176 percent increase in admission for
marijuana use since 1993.

Youth are three times more likely to be in treatment for marijuana
abuse than for alcohol, and six times likelier to be in treatment for
marijuana than for all other illegal drugs combined. Whether you want
to debate the merits of pot vs. alcohol abuse is irrelevant, when
faced with the fact that more young people than ever are seeking help
to kick marijuana, as opposed to alcohol, use.

Another alarming trend is that many youth are beginning to use
marijuana at a much earlier age. The age of first use has
progressively dropped, from 17 to 18 in the 1970s to currently between
10 and 13 years of age. More alarming is that the risk of becoming
addicted to marijuana increases threefold when first use occurs before
the age of 16.

The physical impact of marijuana use on adolescents is the most
alarming effect. Many of those responding to a feedback form at the
Nov. 9 meeting cited that they were not aware of how long THC stays in
the body.

While alcohol is processed out of the body in a matter of hours, THC
remains in the body for a minimum of three weeks. While this may not
be a surprise for anyone who has ever tested positive, it does come as
a surprise for the long-term damage that THC can have.

For adolescents, this can include a stunting of brain development and
for boys, a decrease in testosterone levels.

Hopefully, the discussion started among the 50 people present at
"Reefer Madness Revisited" will continue among parents and youth on
the Island, in order to challenge the norms around pot use.

It is clear from the response of the audience at this educational
event that the public debate over marijuana has been plagued by many
difficulties, not the least of which is a lack of accurate
information. And when it comes to the health and future of the
children and youth of this Island, having accurate information about
marijuana becomes even more important.

- -- J.B. Cole is prevention program manager for Vashon Youth & Family
Services.