STUDY: ALABAMA HAS LOWEST PERCENTAGE OF MARIJUANA USE

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Alabama has the lowest percentage nationwide of
marijuana use among people age 12 and older, based on a recent study
released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

At 4.4 percent, Alabama was well below the national average of 6.2 percent.
The District of Columbia had the highest rate of marijuana use at 10.8
percent.

"That seems surprising to me that Alabama would come in last," said Jeff
Baker, director of the Alabama Department of Mental Health and Mental
Retardation's substance abuse north regional clearinghouse in Anniston. "I
know that around this area, in the area that we cover, marijuana is pretty
widely abused."

The report, based on 2002 data, includes the percentage of past-month
illegal drug use, marijuana use and the use of other illegal drugs broken
down by state and age. Illegal drugs include cocaine, heroine,
hallucinogens, inhalants and prescription drugs used nonmedically. The
report also includes a percentage of past-month alcohol and tobacco
consumption.

Along with percentages of actual substance use, the report records the
percentage who perceive risk in using drugs. Specifically, in the category
of "Perceptions of Great Risk of Smoking Marijuana Once a Month," Alabama's
percentage was the second highest nationwide.

Those states whose residents had the greatest perception that using
marijuana or other drugs was highly risky consistently had the lowest
percentage of drug use, while the states with the highest amount of drug use
consistently had the lowest perception of risk.

"The overall perception of drug use by the population is going to have a
direct effect on its usage," Baker said.

Baker said that the Bible Belt and some Midwestern states have a very
negative perception of drug use because of their more conservative values.

"That attitude would influence everyone in the society to a point," he said.
"The end result in that would be a lower-than-average rate of abuse."

This attitude toward drugs may also contribute to the amount of prevention
programs in Alabama.

Baker said there is a very active prevention system in the state that
receives a great amount of support from local groups and schools because
people are so concerned about drug use.

"It all kind of works together," Baker said. "People having that attitude
would account for why prevention is given such a high priority in the
state."

It may not be Alabama's drug prevention work that has curbed marijuana use
as much as a move by users to different types of drugs.

While Alabama ranked last in marijuana use and 47th in use of any illegal
drug, it jumped to 29th in the category of illegal drugs excluding
marijuana.

"We certainly have seen a big increase in the use of methamphetamines," said
Harold Willis, an agent in the Drug Enforcement Agency's Birmingham branch.

Baker said that one convicted methamphetamines producer said he could
generate $10,000 a week in profit with only about $300-$500 worth of
chemicals. Additionally, meth can be produced in a few days, while marijuana
takes time to grow and work to maintain.

A recent law signed by Gov. Bob Riley recognized the growth in the illegal
sale and use of prescription drugs. The law creates a statewide database
that will help law enforcement to identify people receiving prescriptions
like OxyContin from several doctors at once.

According to the Drug Enforcement Agency, Alabama ranks 11th among states in
OxyContin prescriptions per capita.

"More people are figuring out ways of getting their hands on prescription
drugs to be used illegally or sold illegally," Baker said. "There's
definitely a profit to be made in prescription drugs."

The data from previous years' substance use studies could not be compared to
the 2002 data because the methods used to retrieve the information differed
slightly. The survey was based on the responses of 68,126 people interviewed
in their homes.

Adrienne Spain is a reporter for Medill News Service. She covers news
stories and events in Washington, D.C., for the TimesDaily.