Pubdate: Fri, 06 Dec 2013
Source: Portland Daily Sun (ME)
Copyright: 2013 The Portland Daily Sun
Contact:  http://portlanddailysun.me/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5257

GROUP LAUNCHES EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH EFFORT TO COUNTER MARIJUANA ORDINANCE

Just as the city's ordinance that legalizes the possession and use of 
a small quantity of marijuana takes effect, a local group is taking 
steps to educate kids about the use of the substance.

The 21 Reasons coalition will distribute a pamphlet produced by the 
National Institutes of Health - "Marijuana: Facts Parents Need to 
Know" - in all of Portland's high and middle schools to counter kids' 
perceptions of marijuana use in light of the new ordinance that was 
passed in November, according to a press release.

"The key to preventing youth marijuana use is open communication. 
This resource is for parents, caregivers and others who work with 
youth. It provides facts, tips and information about talking to 
youth, communicating risks, and answers to some frequently asked 
questions about the drug itself," states Jo Morrissey, 21 Reasons 
project manager, in a statement.

Kids' perceptions of drug use are informed by access, availability 
and community norms, according to 21 Reasons, and a 2011 Maine 
Integrated Health Survey found the three out of 10 Portland high 
school students reported using marijuana in the preceding 30 days. 
The survey also indicated that more than half of the youths survey 
said it was "sort of easy" or "very easy" to get marijuana, according 
to a press release. Leading up to the November election, 21 Reasons 
spoke out against a series of advertisements placed on the city's 
buses and bus shelters and claimed they promoted drug use, especially 
by young people.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom