Pubdate: Fri, 6 Oct 2000 Source: Blade, The (OH) Copyright: 2000 The Blade Contact: 541 North Superior St., Toledo OH 43660 Website: http://www.toledoblade.com/ Author: Gary Q. Tester, Interim director Chemical Dependency Services, St. Anthony Villa Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n1382/a10.html?2449 REDUCING ALCOHOL, DRUG USE BY ADOLESCENTS A recent letter noted that national alcohol and other drug-use statistics indicate that adolescent use of alcohol and marijuana is beginning to decline, while the use of heroin is increasing. The author pointed out that the national strategy to address alcohol and other drug use is flawed and that these statistics support his premise. An appeal was then made to concentrate efforts on heroin (which has shown an increase in use) and to stop making marijuana such a significant issue. As the interim director of Chemical Dependency Services at St. Anthony Villa and a prevention/treatment professional, I am frustrated by the logic. The letter writer is correct: Surveys do show that use of marijuana is declining among the general teenage population. This suggests to most professionals that hard efforts are finally paying off - not that the approach is flawed. In addition, consistent hard work is needed to continue this trend. It is important to look at adolescent treatment statistics from the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services. The number one drug of choice among adolescents receiving treatment services in Ohio for the past two fiscal years is marijuana. Heroin use, in contrast, is barely a blip on the screen. In order to keep it that way, we must continue to address adolescent use of alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana. Shifting attention from the number one drug of choice - marijuana - among adolescents receiving treatment in Ohio's system of care only guarantees further heartache for these adolescents and their families. The best approach to reduce adolescent alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use is to establish and convey a consistent societal expectation - no use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs by adolescents is acceptable. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart