Pubdate: Thu, 02 May 2002
Source: Springfield News-Leader (MO)
Section: Ozarks Voices
Copyright: 2002 The Springfield News-Leader
Contact:  http://www.springfieldnews-leader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1129
Author: Marcie Rosenkoetter, Marcie Rosenkoetter is coordinator of Drug & 
Violence Prevention Programs at Springfield Public Schools.

USING MARIJUANA ISN'T CHILD'S PLAY; IT RUINS YOUTHS' LIVES

Mark and Mary seemed to have the world at their feet. Their grades were 
better than average. They were involved in school extracurricular 
activities and participated in band and track. Life was good. So when they 
started smoking marijuana it was really just a new thing to do with 
friends. They didn't see any real harm in it. They weren't aware of the 
psychological and physical dependence, structural and brain wave changes. 
But their dreams did go up in smoke.

Mark and Mary are two of the many teen-agers smoking marijuana today. In 
fact, marijuana use among 12- to 17-year-olds has more than doubled since 
1992. Young people are beginning to use marijuana at very early ages - even 
as early as elementary school. The younger someone starts to use drugs, the 
more likely he or she may develop problems associated with drug use.

Marijuana use impairs memory, learning, motivation and reflexes. These 
impairments interfere with the skills necessary for young people to achieve 
their full potential. Marijuana can negatively impact goals Springfield 
Public Schools has set for increasing student achievement and reducing the 
drop-out rate. While the SPS Drug & Violence Free Schools program works to 
make students and staff aware of the risks, our parents and community must 
reinforce that message.

Yet many kids - and parents - don't realize these things or understand 
their consequences. As parents and other trusted adults in the lives of 
kids, we must help them understand that marijuana is a drug and that using 
marijuana is dangerous and can be debilitating to their goals and 
ambitions. We must talk with our children and tell them we don't want them 
using marijuana, giving them facts about this drug and insights into where 
its use can lead.

We, as adults, have a responsibility to support our children in pursuit of 
their dreams. Part of that responsibility means talking with them about 
drugs - before they slip down a similar path.

The National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information offers free 
materials that can help youth and adults understand the impact of marijuana 
and other drugs. Contact NCADI at http://www.health.org or call the 
Springfield Public Schools Drug & Violence Prevention Program office at 
864-3856. A confidential substance abuse assessment is an option for 
students already involved in substance use.

Marcie Rosenkoetter is coordinator of Drug & Violence Prevention Programs 
at Springfield Public Schools.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom