Pubdate: Fri, 03 Dec 2004
Source: Kansas City Star (MO)
Copyright: 2004 The Kansas City Star
Contact:  http://www.kcstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/221
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?224 (Cannabis and Driving)

DRUGS, DRIVING A DEADLY MIX, ADS WARN TEENS

WASHINGTON - Many teen drivers think it is less dangerous to drive
after smoking marijuana than after drinking alcohol, a perception the
government wants to change.

"Driving sober means no alcohol, no marijuana, no drugs," John
Walters, the Bush administration's drug policy director, said Thursday
as he showed a TV ad aimed at stopping teens from driving after
smoking pot.

Walters' office is spending $10 million on efforts to teach teens
about the dangers of drugged driving. Brochures are also being
distributed. in schools and motor vehicle offices. Marijuana can
affect concentration, perception and reaction time up to 24 hours
after it is smoked, Walters said. Yet teens have gotten the incorrect
message that it is a benign drug.

In a recent study, 30 percent of teens said "planning to drive" was a
reason not to drink. But only 18 percent cited "planning to drive" as
a reason not to take drugs.

The survey questioned 3,574 students nationwide in the spring and was
conducted for Students Against Destructive Decisions and Liberty
Mutual Insurance.
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MAP posted-by: Derek