Pubdate: [Wed, 04 Sep 1996] Source: Star Newspaper, Grand Coulee Dam (WA) Author: Tom Hawkins The recent uproar regarding the increase in teenage drug use has been greatly exaggerated. Consider the following facts that have been ignored by the media. The media consistently fails to distinguish the difference between "drug use" and "drug abuse." This leaves the impression that anyone who uses drugs has an abuse problem. Nothing could be further from the truth--only 5% of all people who use drugs ever develop a drug abuse problem. The media talks about alcohol and tobacco as if they are not drugs. Alcohol and tobacco are drugs, and every bit as harmful as illegal drugs. The media does not report the fact teenage use of legal drugs far exceeds teenage use of illegal drugs. Although the media has reported a "huge" increase in teenage drug use, less than 3% of all teenagers have ever used hard drugs. By far the most popular illegal drug used by teenagers is marijuana. Marijuana is less habit forming than caffeine, produces no serious or long-term physical harm, and has never caused a single human death. Marijuana--by any standard--is far safer than the legal drugs of alcohol or tobacco. Teenagers know the truth about marijuana. But the media is afraid to print the truth about marijuana. Bob Dole and politicians who claim teenage marijuana use is a "national tragedy" are world-class hypocrites. These politicians have taken millions of dollars in drug money from drug dealers (tobacco companies) who push dangerous and deadly drugs (cigarettes) on children. If hypocrisy was an olympic event, Bob Dole would win the gold medal. The statistics showing an increase in teenage drug use do not include the legal drugs of tobacco or alcohol. Only 30% of teenagers have tried marijuana. But 70% of teenagers have used alcohol. Teenage alcohol and tobacco use is never a "national tragedy" to the politicians or those in the media. That's because alcohol and tobacco are the drugs enjoyed by so many politicians, cops, journalists, parents, and teachers. More hypocrites! The real tragedy is not teenage marijuana use, but politicians who grossly exaggerate the drug the problem to score political points. It's time to reveal the incredible hypocrisy exhibited by the so-called anti-drug zealots. It's time to acknowledge the truth about marijuana. It's time to take off the blinders when discussing drugs. Keep fighting peacefully, Tom Hawkins Coulee Dam, WA