Pubdate: Wed, 18 Sep 2002 Source: Austin American-Statesman (TX) Copyright: 2002 Austin American-Statesman Contact: http://www.austin360.com/statesman/editions/today/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/32 Author: The Associated Press DRUG OFFICIAL WARNS OF RISKS OF MARIJUANA WASHINGTON -- The nation's drug policy director warned parents Tuesday against trivializing the dangers of marijuana to their children, saying more teenagers are addicted to pot than to alcohol or all other illegal drugs combined. Many parents and children have outdated perceptions, said John Walters, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. They think that marijuana is not addictive or that it's less dangerous than cigarettes. In reality, more teens enter rehabilitation centers to treat marijuana addiction than alcohol or all illegal drugs combined, he said as he announced an advertising campaign by his office and 17 education, public health, anti-drug and family advocacy groups. Marsha Rosenbaum, director of the Safety First Project of the Drug Policy Alliance, disputed some of Walters' figures. "Alcohol dwarfs marijuana in terms of use," she said. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth