WRONG APPROACH TO POT USE BY TEENS

The survey results released last week by the National Center on Addiction
and Substance Abuse showing, among other things, that teenagers say that
marijuana is easier to buy than beer are not a surprise (Globe, Aug. 21).

The center has been reporting similar results for years, as has the
government-funded Monitoring the Future survey of teen drug use: Every year
since that survey began, between 83 and 90 percent of high school seniors
have reported that marijuana is "fairly easy" or "very easy" to get.

These numbers have remained virtually unchanged despite a near- tripling of
marijuana arrests since 1991 and waves of "just say no" propaganda.

In the Netherlands, where marijuana is sold openly through regulated
outlets, surveys of 10th graders show rates of marijuana use one-third
lower than in the United States. Perhaps it is time to consider the
possibility that marijuana prohibition - which has created a completely
unregulated, underground market - is not the best way to curb marijuana use
by young people.

BRUCE MIRKEN

Director of communications

Marijuana Policy Project

Washington