Pubdate: Wed, 18 Sep 2002
Source: San Antonio Express-News (TX)
Copyright: 2002 San Antonio Express-News
Contact:  http://www.mysanantonio.com/expressnews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/384
Author: Eun-Kyung Kim, Associated Press

DRUG CZAR SAYS RISKS OF POT USE NOT TRIVIAL

WASHINGTON -(AP)- The nation's drug policy director warned parents Tuesday
against trivializing the dangers of marijuana to their kids, warning them
that more teens are addicted to pot than to alcohol or to all other illegal
drugs combined.

Many parents and children have outdated perceptions about marijuana, said
John Walters, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. They
believe marijuana isn't addictive, that it's less dangerous than cigarettes
or that it has few long-term health consequences.

In reality, more teens enter rehabilitation centers to treat marijuana
addiction than alcohol or all illegal drugs combined, Walters said.

"Our effort is to correct the ignorance that is the single biggest obstacle
to protecting our kids," he said as he announced an advertising campaign by
his office and 17 education, public health, anti-drug and family advocacy
groups.

The national effort will include advertisements on TV, radio and print
media, along with ones that will air in NFL stadiums and inside game
programs.

A common misperception is that smoking marijuana is less dangerous than
smoking a cigarette, Surgeon General Richard Carmona said. But marijuana
contains three to five times more tar and carbon monoxide than a comparable
amount of tobacco, he said. It also affects the brain in ways similar to
cocaine and heroin.
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