Pubdate: Wed, 18 Sep 2002
Source: Sun News (SC)
Copyright: 2002 Sun Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://web.thesunnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/987
Author: Eun-Kyung Kim, The Associated Press
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/walters.htm (Walters, John)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/campaign.htm (ONDCP Media Campaign)

AGENCY WARNS OF MARIJUANA RISKS

WASHINGTON - The nation's drug policy director warned parents Tuesday 
against trivializing the dangers of marijuana to their children, 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Many parents and children have outdated perceptions about marijuana, said 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 is not addictive, that it is 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 other 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 television, radio and 
print media, along with ones that will air in NFL stadiums and inside game 
programs.

Some people think smoking marijuana is less dangerous than smoking a 
cigarette, said Surgeon General Richard Carmona. But marijuana contains 
three to five times more tar and carbon monoxide than a comparable amount 
of tobacco, he said.

Carmona said one out of five eighth-graders has tried marijuana - twice as 
many as a decade ago.

"Marijuana is not a rite of passage but a dangerous behavior that could 
have serious health consequences. Parents must realize that what they tell 
their children about drug use makes a difference," Carmona said.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom