Pubdate: Tue, 22 Feb 2005 Source: Associated Press (Wire) Copyright: 2005 Associated Press Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/27 Author: Larry McShane, Associated Press Writer Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?195 (Partnership for a Drug Free America) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?420 (Cannabis - Popular) PARENTAL ATTITUDES TOWARD DRUGS INCREASINGLY MELLOW NEW YORK -- Although today's parents were more likely to use drugs than their predecessors, they are less likely to speak with their children about the issue and see less risk in drug experimentation, according to a new survey released Tuesday. The study of parental attitudes toward teen drug use and drugs, conducted by The Partnership for a Drug-Free America, found that barely half of the parents would be upset if their children experimented with marijuana. The number of parents who have never spoken with their children about drugs was 12 percent, double what it was just six years ago, the 17th annual Partnership survey found. While most parents no longer use drugs (11 percent reported marijuana use in the last year), they still carry attitudes fostered during their teen years. This is particularly true about parents who were teenagers in the late '70s and early '80s, when teen drug use was at a high point. "While the vast majority of parents have left old habits behind, they're carrying old attitudes and beliefs forward," said Steve Pasierb, president and CEO of the Partnership. "If old habits die hard, the data suggests lax attitudes about drugs die even harder." Among other findings in the survey: _ While parents believe it's important to discuss drugs with their kids, only about three in 10 children say they've learned a lot about drug risks at home. _ Only 18 percent of parents believe their children have smoked marijuana, but the number of teens experimenting with pot is 39 percent. _ Just 21 percent of parents believe friends of their teen are smoking marijuana, but 62 percent of teens report friends who use the drug. The study was conducted among 1,205 parents nationwide, with a margin of error of plus or minus 2.8 percentage points. The survey was conducted in households with children under the age of 18. The Partnership for a Drug-Free America, launched in 1987, is a coalition of communications professionals aimed at reducing the demand for illegal drugs. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom