Pubdate: Fri, 15 Feb 2008 Source: Kansas City Star (MO) Column: Dear Abby Copyright: 2008 Universal Press Syndicate Contact: Write Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069 Website: http://www.kcstar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/221 Author: Jeanne Phillips Note: Relevant part of a longer column. Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion) ora Pot may harm mental health DEAR ABBY: You were right to tell "Just Saying No" that his pot-smoking classmates could be headed for addiction or other problems. I worry that marijuana poses more risks to teens than they or their parents recognize. More kids need professional help kicking marijuana than for all other drugs combined. It is not a "harmless" drug. School failure, which you mentioned, could be only the first of many problems daily pot smokers may experience. Researchers have a long way to go in understanding the complexity of brain function, but we know that illicit drug use changes the developing brain. Many young people smoke pot before their brain development is settled, and their chronic use of the drug can affect certain centers in the brain that control emotion and reason. Research shows that regular use of marijuana may also lead to mental health problems. Youths who use marijuana weekly have double the risk of depression later in life and are three times more likely than non-users to have suicidal thoughts. - Marc Galanter, M.D., Director, Division of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, New York University Medical Center DEAR DR. GALANTER: Thank you for lending your expertise on this subject. I am sure many teens and their parents will find your letter enlightening. If they wish, younger readers can read and consider the latest scientific facts about marijuana and other drugs by logging on to abovetheinfluence.com. Parents can visit theantidrug .com for tips on talking to their adolescents about drugs and how to get them help if that conversation begins too late. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake