Pubdate: Fri, 23 Nov 2007 Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB) Copyright: 2007 Calgary Herald Contact: http://www.canada.com/calgary/calgaryherald/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/66 LEGAL DRUGS CALLED KIDS' TOP RISK Crack cocaine and crystal meth may scare parents, but it's alcohol, tobacco and marijuana that are doing the most harm to young people, say experts. National Addiction Awareness Week, which runs until Saturday, is a reminder for parents to talk to their children about drug use, said Cheryl Houtekamer of the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission. "There's a small likelihood they (young people) will run into crystal meth, but we know almost for certain they will run into alcohol and tobacco," Houtekamer said. While only one per cent of Alberta youth in grades 7 to 12 have used crystal meth, about two-thirds have used alcohol and one-quarter have used marijuana, a 2005 survey suggests. Delaying a youth's first use of alcohol from age 15 to 18 does "a tremendous amount" to prevent a long-term problem with alcohol, Houtekamer said. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek