DATA ON MARIJUANA TREATMENT PRESENT A DISTORTED PICTURE

Re "Marijuana Use Is Pushing Teens Into Treatment," April 26:
Allegations that marijuana smokers compose 60% of drug treatment
admissions require further explanation and context. According to the
Department of Health and Human Services, fewer than one in five people
admitted to drug treatment for marijuana in 2001 did so voluntarily,
and more than half -- 57% -- were referred by the criminal justice
system. In many cases, these were first-time offenders arrested for
marijuana possession and given the option by a judge or drug court of
entering drug treatment as an alternative to jail.

As such, the dramatic rise in marijuana "treatment" admissions over
the past decade is primarily because of a proportional increase in
individuals arrested on marijuana charges and referred to drug
treatment in lieu of incarceration. At a time when tens of thousands
of hard-drug addicts are being denied access to drug treatment due to
a lack of bed space and federal funding, it is disconcerting that
America's drug treatment centers are bursting at the seams by
needlessly housing marijuana smokers.

Paul Armentano

Senior Policy Analyst

National Organization for the Repeal of Marijuana Laws Foundation

Washington, D.C