Pubdate: Wed, 12 May 1999 Source: Burbank Leader (CA) Copyright: 1999 The Burbank Leader Fax: (818) 9549439 Email: . Mail: The Burbank Leader, 220 N.Glenoaks Blvd., Burbank, CA 91502 Website: http://www.latimes.com/home/commun/papers/bbk/ Author: Andy Sway Note: Andrew D. Sway is a licensed marriage and family therapist in Burbank. Reach him at (818) 829-7900 or by email at MARIJUANA IS EVERYBODY'S PROBLEM Significant advancements in work by substance abuse counselors, therapists, parents and schools was hurt and trivialized by an irresponsible frontpage article in the Los Angeles times. The March 18 article, "Pot Has Uses as Medicine, U.S. Panel Says,"misquoted the U.S. Institute of Medicine by stating "...a panel of experts found that marijuana is not addictive, and said there is no clear evidence that smoking it leads to consumption of heroin, cocaine or other narcotics." This was an irresponsible misinterpretation of the Institute's original press release of March 17, the source of the Times article. The Times article sent a dangerous message to the public: Pot is okay. Contrary to the Times article, the release stated that "Marijuana is a powerful drug that produces a variety of biological effects...Some chronic users can develop dependence on marijuana, though withdrawal symptoms are relatively mild and short lived." Other research has shown marijuana withdrawal symptoms are similar to those of some opium type drugs; night sweats, headaches, chills, nausea, insomnia and anorexia, among other symptoms. The Times article's misinterpretation of the institute's press release reminds me of the phrase "a little bit pregnant." If it is physically unpleasant for somebody to stop using the substance, even slightly, willn't the subconscious mind motivate the user to keep using? Let's see, drug withdrawal discomfort vs. drug induced pleasure. This is hardly a fair decision for a pot using teen. Marijuana use does not guarantee later use of harder drugs, but when heroin and cocaine addicts are interviewed we find out that most of them started first with cigarettes, alcohol and then marijuana before graduating to more deadly and lifeshattering substances. When our children are involved in this underground world, they have access to all types of dangerous drugs. As continued use builds physical tolerance to the effects of marijuana, they will need more and more to get the same high. Experimentation with harder drugs can become a logical next step. For many adults who were adolescents during the 1960s and 1970s, marijuana was a mild drug that was the favorite of their generation and the counter culture. It was a popular way of meeting adolescent developmental needs of rebeling against parents and society, and an aide in connecting with fellow peers. It was also a way that users avoided feeling their feelings, and most of us can remember the awkward feelings of adolescence. These are exactly the same reasons it is used by teens today. The difference with marijuana today is the potency of the drug. The main chemical that gives the intoxicating high has increased in potency from one percent in the '70s, all the way up 25% or 30% in today's pot. This dramatic jump in potency is what has sounded the alarm for drug counselors, therapists, doctors, school personnel and parents. This newer, super pot has been scientifically proven to be responsible for serious negative impact to shortterm memory, concentration and psychomotor skills needed for driving and sports. It has also been shown to surface and intensify underlying psychiatric illnesses like depression, extreme anxiety, mania, panic and even schizophrenia. Another health concern is that one marijuana joint can equal the cancer causing tars of five to 16 tobacco cigarettes. The nonfiltered smoke is also hotter and held in the lungs longer than tobacco smoke, which makes it potentially more damaging to the lungs than cigarettes. Heavy use by pregnant mothers has resulted in permanent damage to babies, a condition resembling Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Studies have also shown long term intellectual damage to the babies of chronic marijuana smokers. Other studies have shown negative impacts on sperm fertility and suppression of the immune systems of users. Professionals see the largest negative clinical impact to adolescents and young adults. Unfortunately, it is during these formative years between 11 and 19 that most users begin experimenting with the drug. Parents should be aware of the most common signs of teen marijuana use: sudden drops in grades, truancy, underachievement and memory problems. Also common are excessive hostility, frequent outbursts, chronic bronchial infections, coughs, red eyes and increased secretiveness. Changes in friends often occur as well as unexplained dropping out of sports programs and other activities. The subject of teen marijuana use recently came up during a conference with a local Burbank middle school counselor. It was this counselor's belief that there wasn't a big pot problem, or "Bud," as it is known by kids today, at the school. Was this the truth, a wish or just an uninformed opinion? Even if it were true that there are only a few marijuana users at our middle schools, can we really be comfortable with this fact? Research tells us that there are likely many undetected users as well as those who are tempted to try this socially enticing drug. Research also tells us that as a child's perception of the harm of marijuana decreases, their use of the substance increases. With these facts in mind, it becomes the duty of everyone involved with children to get educated about marijuana, and to bring up this subject with the young people in their lives today. Let's all do our job and not allow ourselves to be satisfied that there are "only a few visible cases." Here's to your emotional health.