Pubdate: Mon, 26 Aug 2002
Source: Boston Globe (MA)
Page: A10
Copyright: 2002 Globe Newspaper Company
Contact:  http://www.boston.com/globe/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/52
Author: Bruce Mirken

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
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