ALABAMA HAS LOWEST PERCENTAGE OF MARIJUANA USERS IN NATION

WASHINGTON - Alabama has the lowest percentage nationwide of marijuana use
among people age 12 and over, according to 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," he said.

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, heroin, hallucinogens,
inhalants and prescription drugs used non medically. The report also
includes 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 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." However, 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
drugs, 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.