Pubdate: Fri, 12 Dec 2008 Source: Boston Globe (MA) Page: A12 Copyright: 2008 Globe Newspaper Company Contact: http://bostonglobe.com/news/opeds/letter.aspx?id=6340 Website: http://www.boston.com/globe/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/52 Author: Rob Waters, Bloomberg Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Marijuana) STUDY: FEWER TEENS SMOKING, DRINKING SAN FRANCISCO - The percentage of teenagers smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol reached the lowest point in almost two decades since an annual government-funded survey started interviewing kids about their habits. Still, the 2008 survey found that at least one in eight high school seniors reported abusing prescription painkillers and stimulants obtained from friends, relatives or schoolmates. Researchers also said a decade-long decline in marijuana use may be leveling off and detected a softening in teens' anti-marijuana attitudes. The percentage of teenagers smoking cigarettes has declined steadily since 1997, with similar trends seen in the use of alcohol and most illegal drugs. The numbers suggest that anti-smoking campaigns have been successful, said Nora Volkow, the director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse. "Isn't that fantastic," Volkow said in a telephone interview. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake