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. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek