Pubdate: Wed, 25 Oct 2000 Source: News Journal (DE) Copyright: 2000 The News Journal Contact: Letters to Editor, Box 15505, Wilmington, DE 19850 Fax: (302) 324-2595 Website: http://www.delawareonline.com/ TEEN DRUG SURVEYS DIVERT FOCUS FROM ABUSE AT EVERY AGE Several recent surveys of drug use among teen-agers have left most Delawareans in an quandary. Depending on which survey one reads, Delaware teens use illicit drugs more than most U.S. teen-agers, less than most teen-agers in the country, or are just about like all the others when it comes to smoking pot or using cocaine or heroin. There is an old phrase: "There are lies, damned lies and statistics." Delaware seems caught in a tangled web of conflicting and confusing statistics about how involved young people are in illicit drug use. A story in Tuesday's News Journal gave little comfort. It explained that all the studies are valid in their own way. So, depending on which report someone decides to accept, they might be very concerned or not greatly worried. The "experts" tell us not to worry -- not too much, at least. One problem with these studies is that they provide instant fodder for political campaigns. Those now holding office embrace the surveys that make them look good and denigrate those in which Delaware ranks poorly. Voters should judge any claims with skepticism. This is not a frivolous matter. Whatever illicit drug use exists in Delaware, it is too much. We cannot do enough to steer young people away from substance abuse. But the battle of numbers diverts attention from the real problem: the widespread abuse in this country of alcohol and narcotics. Of course, parents should be alert against drugs. And school personnel should be vigilant in recognizing and reporting drug-related behavior. But for teen-agers in the United States, drug use is learned behavior. The level of pill popping and alcohol abuse in this country is frightening at every age. Young people watch and copy. This is not to disparage the miracles of pain relief or life-enhancing pharmaceutical drugs. But we have not managed to help young people differentiate between necessary, beneficial drugs and those that erode or ruin lives. It is increasingly difficult to explain to young people why it's OK for Mom to have a nightly cocktail or three and for Dad to rely on pills that keep him awake but it's not OK for them to drink or turn to marijuana or Ecstasy. What's the difference, teens say. More shocking, a significant number of teens actually get introduced to drugs by their parents and they use them together in a sick kind of family bond. This is a major challenge in Delaware and the United States. As long as we focus on statistical comparisons instead of the story behind the statistics, little will be accomplished. As long as politicians regard the surveys as sources for campaign one-liners instead of as information to guide serious anti-drug policies, not much will improve. If we look to ourselves and collective society, we might refocus efforts in the right direction.