TEEN SUBSTANCE ABUSE ON THE DECLINE

Smoking, drinking and drug use among teenagers has decreased in many
places, and Greenville is one town that is proud to be among those ranks.

A survey conducted for the Department of Health and Human Services found
declines in drug, alcohol and tobacco use for all age groups in Washington,
D.C. The report, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, surveyed
44,000 students from 394 schools. They were asked about their feelings and
experiences with alcohol and drugs.

According to Lloyd Johnston, who directed the study by the University of
Michigan Institute for Social research, the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11,
2001, may have contributed to the falling numbers, particularly in drinking
this year in all age groups.

City Councilwoman Audine Haynes, who is also director of the Washington
County Anti-Drug Community Partnership, said she credits the decrease to
the educational programs and advertisements.

"I think ours is probably much like the rest of the nation," Haynes said in
a recent interview.

Haynes said teens need to be educated about drugs and alcohol, and they
will make up their own minds about the kind of life they want to live.

She believes the anti-drug and anti-smoking ads have made an impression
among youth.

The community partnership is located at 735 U.S. 82 East, and they have a
great deal of literature to educate youth about the consequences of drug abuse.

Police Chief Lon Pepper Jr. said the decrease is evident in the Delta.

"As far as it looks it has slacked off a bit," Pepper said.

Pepper said complaints from merchants have been called in before about
attempted underage purchase of tobacco.

Director of Teens Against Tobacco Mamie Warren said she believes youth in
the Washington County area are moving away from drug, alcohol and tobacco use.

"I think they are coming to realize that when they deal with smoking,
alcohol and drugs, it is a one-way street," Warren said.

Sharon Garrison with Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi said from 1999
to 2001 cigarette use in public high schools has dropped by 25 percent and
a 30 percent decrease was shown from public middle schools.

"If parents leave these things laying around at home, they see it as a
temptation," Warren said. "Mississippi is the leader in tobacco education
and prevention, and Hollandale is a prime example of that."