PREVENTION EFFORTS PAY OFF

Many factors affect drug use by teenagers The White House Office of
National Drug Control Policy counts the numbers from a recent survey
as an indication that drug-prevention efforts, along with a number of
other factors, have worked to lessen the nation's drug problem among
young people.

The survey, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, questioned
44,000 students from 394 schools about their experiences and feelings
about alcohol and drugs.

Among eighth-graders, marijuana use is at its lowest level since 1994,
the survey found, and half as many eighth-graders reported using
cigarettes as in 1996.

Although the survey of eighth-, 10th- and 12th-graders found overall
declines, teen use of heroin, cocaine and steroids was fairly steady.
Among seniors, use of sedatives and tranquilizers increased slightly,
as did crack use among 10th-graders.

Government health officials believe education campaigns about the
dangers of using drugs, alcohol and cigarettes are working among the
younger students - creating attitudes these youngsters may carry into
adulthood.

Other factors may have played a role too, experts say. Sept. 11, 2001,
had a "sobering" effect on young people, one such expert suggests. The
higher costs of tobacco, less tobacco advertising and the negative
publicity about the tobacco industry may also be factors in the
dramatic drop in smoking.

So might peer pressure. A growing number of young people in each of
the surveyed grades said they would rather not date a smoker.

There is no sure way to gauge what caused the substantial drop in drug
use reported in this survey. If Sept. 11, 2001, was a factor, that is
a positive effect that came at too great a cost.

If the cost of tobacco products is a factor, good. It makes it
worthwhile socially and economically to continue substantial taxes on
tobacco.

While the cause and effect relationship between public education
efforts and the decline may not be as easily proven as the
relationship between smoking, drinking and drug use and a host of
ill-effects, there certainly is enough circumstantial evidence to
suggest those efforts should continue.