Webpage: www.thedailycamera.com/opinion/evans/a217791a.html
Pubdate: Sun, 17 Feb 2002
Source: Daily Camera (CO)
Section: The Link (column)
Copyright: 2002 The Daily Camera.
Contact:  http://www.thedailycamera.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/103
Author: Clay Evans

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.
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MAP posted-by: Beth