Pubdate: Sun, 22 Jan 2012
Source: Daily Messenger (NY)
Copyright: 2012 GateHouse Media, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.mpnnow.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2207

PARENTS KEY IN LOWERING TEEN MARIJUANA USE

Teen marijuana use is a trend that appears to be spreading across the 
country, and according to Ontario County Undersheriff David Tillman, 
is also taking hold locally.

According to a national survey conducted by the University of 
Michigan for the National Institute on Drug Abuse, one in every 15 
high school seniors reported smoking marijuana on a daily or 
near-daily basis, the highest rate since 1981. And locally, studies 
by Evalumetrics Research of Ontario County schools have shown a 
"slight increase in marijuana use among kids," says consultant Rob Lillis.

It's not that surprising more teens are showing less concern about 
the possible risks of pot.

Ontario County Sheriff's Deputy John Peck, also a school resource 
officer at Marcus Whitman, points to several reasons for the trend -- 
everything from relatively easy accessibility to the drug to an 
increased number of students using so-called synthetic marijuana. 
Perhaps most telling, he says increased usage can partially be 
attributed to a change in the perception of risks associated with marijuana.

Indeed, pop culture often portrays smoking marijuana more as a fun 
social activity than what it actually is: a drug. And the movement in 
the country to consider legalization of marijuana has been gaining 
steam in recent years, including in New York.

So how we reverse this troubling trend?

It starts with parents. If they take as casual an approach to 
marijuana use as pop culture, they will likely pass that attitude to 
their children, overlooking the consequences habitual use of pot by 
young people.

After all, while pot's dangers may not rise to the level of cocaine, 
heroin or even prescription drugs like oxycontin, research has linked 
its use to respiratory problems and immune system impairment, among 
other health effects.

As with alcohol, behavior impairment -- including distorted 
perception, memory loss and loss of coordination -- might be the most 
significant side effects. And along with an increase in teen 
marijuana use, Tillman says, there has also been a spike in arrests 
locally for driving while under the influence of marijuana -- a crime 
that has potential to hurt many more than the user.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom