Pubdate: Mon, 21 Feb 2005
Source: Oak Ridger (TN)
Copyright: 2005 The Oak Ridger
Contact:  http://www.oakridger.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1146
Author: AP
Cited: NORML http://www.norml.org
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Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

STUDY SHOWS STATE HAS LOWEST ALCOHOL, MARIJUANA ABUSE
RATES

KNOXVILLE (AP) - A two-year federal study showed Tennessee had the lowest 
rates in the nation for alcohol abuse and marijuana use in 2002 and 2003.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services study, determined by about 
125,000 representative home interviews during the two years, showed about 6 
percent of Tennesseans ages 12 and older had abused alcohol in the past 
year, and 7.4 percent had used marijuana during the same period.

North Dakota had the highest alcohol abuse rate at 10.8 percent, while 16.6 
percent of Alaskans had used marijuana.

Federal statisticians did not offer reasons why Tennessee and other states 
had low rankings. But the state Department of Health, which administers a 
variety of alcohol and drug prevention programs, was "very thrilled" about 
the results.

"We have made this a priority in Tennessee," said Dr. Stephanie Perry, a 
physician in the department. "We try to target what is needed most in each 
community," she said, emphasizing the after-school programs focusing on 
teen issues, including self-esteem, team building and family focus.

Being part of the Bible Belt also could be a contributing factor for Tennessee.

Ron Stewart, senior pastor at Grace Baptist Church in Karns, said there are 
more than 3,000 Southern Baptist churches in the state and most of them 
emphasize the benefits of abstinence from drugs and alcohol.

"I would hope and I would believe that a great part of the reason for this 
survey result has to be what is being done through these churches," Stewart 
said.

Leah Young, a spokeswoman with the federal Substance Abuse and Mental 
Health Services Administration, which handled the two-year survey, said the 
lowest alcohol and marijuana use rates could be due to prevention and 
treatment programs.

"Our data -- will enable states to try and figure out why," she said.

U.S. Rep Zach Wamp, a Republican from Chattanooga, said he quit drinking 21 
years ago to help improve his health. He believes "values, morals, 
religious convictions and upbringing of children have a whole lot to do 
with these outcomes" where some states have lower alcohol and drug abuse.

But both Wamp and Stewart noted that methamphetamines remain a huge illegal 
drug problem hurting users and their families.

"It's clearly on the increase," Wamp said.

Keller Barnette, a spokesman in Knoxville for the National Organization for 
the Reform of Marijuana Laws, said he did not know why marijuana usage in 
Tennessee would be lower than other states.

"Maybe the people are just, like, more paranoid here," Barnette said, and 
underreported drug activity to federal survey personnel.

Each survey respondent entered answers into a portable computer without the 
visiting federal worker able to see the answers, a survey spokesman said.

Barnette said his group's main priority is getting the state to allow the 
use of marijuana for medicinal purposes, such as pain from a disease like 
cancer.

Perry, the state Health Department physician, said Tennessee's top ranking 
from the survey should make it easier to grow the existing coalition of 
health organizations and volunteers involved with alcohol and drug abuse.

"We're going to continue doing what we're doing," she said. "You have to 
have a sustained focus to really make a difference.
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