Pubdate: Mon, 19 Sep 2005
Source: Parkersburg News, The (WV)
Copyright: 2005, The Parkersburg News
Contact:  http://www.newsandsentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1648
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

YOUNG PEOPLE GET MESSAGE ON DRUGS

There has been plenty of bad news in recent months about illicit drug use, 
particularly in regard to highly destructive methamphetamine.

But there's a little good news for a change from an ongoing federal survey 
of teenage drug and tobacco use: Fewer teens are using illegal drugs and 
tobacco today than was the case a few years ago.

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an annual survey 
of close to 70,000 people, illegal drug use among those ages 12-17 dropped 
from 11.6 percent of the group to 10.6 percent-a 9 percent 
reduction-between 2002 and 2004. Tobacco use also declined slightly, from 
30.4 percent of 12- to 17-year-olds to 29.2 percent.

The survey results serve as confirmation of a very welcome trend that began 
a few years ago: Twenty years of persistent education about the hazards of 
illegal drugs, beginning with former First Lady Nancy Reagan's "Just Say 
No" campaign, seems to be paying off in a somewhat healthier mindset among 
today's teenagers.

 From an early age, most kids have been getting a strong message from 
schools, youth groups and other community organizations that use of illegal 
drugs and tobacco is dangerous and stupid.

There still is far too much illegal drug use, of course, so the battle must 
continue. The instant addictive properties of methamphetamine and the speed 
with which its use can destroy lives calls for especially strong renewal of 
anti-drug efforts.

Meth notwithstanding, the overall trend is a good one, and it shows the 
battle against illegal drugs and tobacco use by young people is one well 
worth fighting.
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MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman