INFORMATION IS PREVENTION

In 1997, as part of its national drug prevention campaign, the federal
Center for Substance Abuse Prevention chose February as Marijuana
Awareness Month.

It is up to parents to give good examples to their kids and to talk to
them of the dangers of using illegal drugs and alcohol. However, many
times our young children see parents smoking marijuana or tobacco,
drinking alcohol or using the illegal drugs.

I think everyone who deals with children should discuss and give our
youth the information on how marijuana affects the lives of the users,
beginning with the unborn. Without information there is no prevention.

Studies have shown that children of marijuana-using mothers are 10
times more likely to develop childhood leukemia. If a pregnant woman
uses marijuana, the child may suffer impaired cognitive processes and
verbal reasoning, memory and the ability to concentrate. Marijuana can
reduce your ability to concentrate and coordinate, such as in driving
a car.

The younger the smoker, the heavier and more persistent the use will
be. Today, marijuana can be about 14 to 20 percent stronger than in
the 1960s. These are some of the facts; talk to your children about
how harmful marijuana could be.

MARGARITA AVILA
Cape Coral