TEENS TURN FROM DRUGS, NOT BOOZE

WASHINGTON (AP) -- American teenagers are cutting back on their use of
illicit drugs and cigarettes, but alcohol consumption is holding steady,
the government says. A survey of eighth-, 10th- and 12th-graders done for
the Department of Health and Human Services, found declines in many kinds
of drugs for high school students, especially for Ecstasy and LSD.

Overall, the Bush administration said the annual survey funded by the
National Institute on Drug Abuse showed an 11 percent drop in illegal drug
use in the past two years.

The survey, known as Monitoring the Future, tracked drug use and attitudes
among 48,500 students from 392 schools.

There was one troubling sign: slowing declines in the use of certain drugs
by eighth graders -- and a slight increase in their use of inhalants, said
Lloyd D. Johnston, who directed the study by the University of Michigan's
Institute for Social Research.

Marijuana Still Popular

Marijuana remains by far the most widely used illegal drug. Monitoring the
Future reported that it had been tried at least once by 46 percent of 12th
graders and used by more than a third in the past year.

Both numbers showed a decrease over last year.

"More kids are seeking treatment for marijuana dependency than all other
drugs combined," John Walters, director of the White House Office of
National Drug Control Policy, said at a news conference.

Tobacco Use Declines

The percentage of teens who smoke cigarettes has fallen dramatically from
the mid-1990s, the result of advertising campaigns and the rise in
cigarette prices. But the survey showed that, among 8th- and 10th-graders,
the decline slowed significantly.

William V. Corr, executive director of Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, said
the numbers reflect a "lack of federal leadership on tobacco prevention"
and decisions by cash-strapped states to cut their prevention program.