Pubdate: Sun, 24 Aug 2014
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2014 The Denver Post Corp
Contact:  http://www.denverpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122
Author: Sabrina Fendrick
Note: Sabrina Fendrick is with the National Organization for the 
Reform of Marijuana Laws in Washington, D.C.
Page: 2D
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v14/n661/a06.html

TEENS AREN'T RATS; TELL THEM TRUTH ABOUT POT

Re: "Worthy effort to teach risks of pot," Aug. 12 editorial.

The Denver Post's endorsement of Colorado's latest teen anti-pot 
campaign, though well-intentioned, fails to recognize that the 
tactics employed by the state - including putting human-sized rat 
cages as large props on street corners and running "shock and 
awe"-type TV ads- will do nothing to discourage teen use.

Yes, teens should absolutely be made aware of the potential risks 
that cannabis consumption can have on their developing bodies. 
However, like The Post's editorial board points out, "kids don't 
react well to over-the-top drug messages." Comparing Colorado teens 
to rodents in a science experiment is disingenuous and will do 
nothing to encourage kids to stay away from pot.

In fact, it may have the opposite effect. A 2008 study published in 
The Open Communication Journal found that fear based anti-drug ads 
actually increased curiosity for the drug among adolescents.

Teen marijuana-use rates in Colorado are below the national average, 
according to the 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The latest Healthy 
Kids Colorado Survey finds that this trend is continuing 
post-legalization. This result was achieved without employing 
ridiculous marketing tactics, like this latest "lab rat" campaign.

Adolescents should be made aware that there are potential negative 
effects to consuming cannabis before adulthood. But warning them they 
could suffer from long-term brain damage is an overdramatic reach 
that will lose credibility among the intended audience. Teens need 
factual information that will give them the tools they need to make 
good decisions.

They also need to be educated on how to reduce any harm associated 
with its use, as well as how to distinguish between use and abuse. 
Just as it is socially acceptable to discuss the adult use of alcohol 
with teens, the same should go for marijuana.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom