Pubdate: Sun, 30 Apr 2006
Source: Des Moines Register (IA)
Copyright: 2006 The Des Moines Register.
Contact:  http://desmoinesregister.com/index.html
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/123
Author: Sara Kellogg
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

HOW TO CONTROL 'WICKED WEED' - LEGALIZE AND REGULATE IT

In regard to the April 23 story, "A More Wicked Weed": I am wondering 
what the reporter's source is that determined that weed is Iowa 
youth's drug of choice? The terminology "drug of choice" indicates 
that this would be the drug they most often use.

However, based on the Iowa Youth Survey from 2002-2005, the U.S. 
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration survey of 
all states from 2002-2004, marijuana is far from the drug of choice 
for Iowa youth.

This seems to be clearly misrepresenting facts, and is also diverting 
attention from an issue that Iowa parents should be concerned about: 
the increasing rate of binge drinking among Iowa youth.

I have worked as a chemical-dependency counselor for four years, and 
in prevention at Iowa State University for more than five years. I 
was shocked to see a story with claims that marijuana is a more 
commonly used drug than alcohol.

Maybe the Register is unaware that just because more kids seek 
treatment for marijuana use does not mean that it is being used more 
often than alcohol by Iowa teens. The percentages of youth seeking 
treatment for drug and/or alcohol use is only a tiny fraction of 
those who actually use the drugs.

Unfortunately, this information is neglected in the first few 
sentences of the article, which grandly proclaims that the drug of 
choice for kids in Iowa isn't alcohol, but marijuana ("what juveniles 
want most").

- -- Sara Kellogg

Ames.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman