GROUPS CAMPAIGN FOR DRUG-FREE TEENS

The nation's drug czar, John P. Walters, and U.S. Surgeon General
Richard H. Carmona have joined with representatives of leading
Hispanic organizations in an outreach effort to help Hispanic parents
raise drug-free teens.

The initiative, part of the Office of National Drug Control Policy's
National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, includes new advertising,
community and media outreach, and online and print bilingual resources.

In Colorado every year, about 28,000 youths (ages 12 to 17) try
marijuana for the first time.

According to 1999-2000 data from the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse:

. More than 11 percent of Colorado youths reported use of
marijuana.

. During 2001, 30 percent of high school students in Colorado reported
current marijuana use, and 49 percent reported using marijuana at
least once in their lifetime.

. Nearly one in six (16 percent) Colorado high school students
reported trying marijuana before age 13.

. Among Colorado youths entering treatment in 2001, 61 percent cited
marijuana as their primary substance of abuse.

The new effort includes an open letter to parents signed by 11 of the
nation's leading health, education and advocacy organizations.

It was published last month in 84 newspapers in 43 metropolitan areas
around the country.

The letter urges Hispanic parents to learn more about marijuana and
the host of significant health, social, learning and behavioral
problems it can pose for teens.

It also encourages parents to monitor their teens' behavior to prevent
drug use.

For more information on the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign,
visit www.mediacampaign.org.