RISKY BRAINS OF YOUTH

Here's my "action plan" following publication of a welcome scientific
survey, which finds that Boulder County high schoolers have sex, drink and
take drugs: Let's do nothing.

OK, that's an overstatement. But we'll never correct the "problem" of
youthful "risky behavior," or as some scientists now think of it,
"sensation seeking." In fact, sex, drugs and booze among adolescents may
not be a "problem" as we've all been told - more like, "normal behavior."

To nobody's surprise (I would hope), the survey finds that Boulder Valley
kids drink a lot, smoke quite a bit of pot and use other drugs in smaller
amounts (the survey did not ask about hallucinogens and club drugs such as
ecstasy). Almost 30 percent use tobacco (woe to them when they want to
quit). Half have had sexual intercourse, and based on that activity (such a
narrow, Clinton-esque definition of "sex" certainly skews results), about a
fifth are now sexually active.

So what is it with kids? Stupid? Rebellious? Hedonistic? What?

Actually, it's biology (and, let's be real, it's fun, too). In recent
years, brain scientists have discovered that "sensation seeking," "risk
taking" and "impulsiveness" are normal to the adolescent brain. In short,
kids' brains process emotions differently than adults (in the amygdala, as
opposed to the frontal lobe, if you must know) but that changes as they mature.

"Adolescents are more prone to react with 'gut instinct' when they process
emotions," says Dr. Deborah Yergelun-Todd, Director of Neuropsychology and
Cognitive Neuroimaging at Harvard's McLean Hospital.

New research also indicates that all individuals differ in their need for
stimulation and sensation-seeking, according to scientists at the
University of California's medical school.

So let's not be too quick to assign moral shame to a kid who drives too
fast, drinks too much or has sex at an early age. As with all things, these
"appetites" vary with individuals. Teens must battle biology when asked to
"just say no."

Does this mean we should buy them all kegs and packages of condoms (yeah,
yeah, I know; high schoolers are disqualified from answering)? No. It means
we should focus on "harm reduction," rather than mount our fabulously
superior high horses.

There is evidence that early onset of "risk taking" behavior, from sex to
speeding, may result in difficulties later on. And research indicates that
kids tend to make better decisions about consequences when dealing with
familiar issues. All of which points to ... education, education,
education. Contrary to the abstinence pushers, familiarity with
decision-making and knowledge of risky behaviors makes it easier for kids
to make well-considered decisions. So even when they decide to "just say
yes," they will be more likely to reduce potential harm - using birth
control, for example.

Actually, rather than nothing, let's "do" education, honesty (instead of
hypocrisy), and unashamed "harm reduction."

Because some kids are going to do "it," whatever "it" may be. Always have,
always will, in part because of biology. Let's teach them, not judge them.

Clarification: In last week's column, I referred to the Cardinal Millsite
project near Nederland. I did not mean to imply that I do not support the
project. Based on reporting I've done, I do.