Pubdate: [Sun, 01 Dec 1996]
Source: Wenatchee World (WA)
Author: Johanna Wools

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.

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.

Johanna Wools
Grand Coulee