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.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart