Pubdate: Fri, 16 Apr 2004 Source: Morning Star, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2004 The Morning Star Contact: http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1352 Authors: Christine Reichelt & Claudia Erban Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) PARENTS NEED TO KNOW There are many reasons why some children and young teens start smoking marijuana. Many young people smoke marijuana because they see their brothers, sisters, friends, or even older family members using it. Some use marijuana because of peer pressure. Others may think it's cool to use marijuana because they hear songs about it and see it on TV and in movies. Some teens may feel they need marijuana and other drugs to help them escape from problems at home, at school, or with friends. No matter how many shirts and caps you see printed with the marijuana leaf, or how many groups sing about it, remember this: you don't have to use marijuana just because you think everybody else is doing it. Most teenagers don't use marijuana! The way drugs affect people depends on many different factors, including: user's previous experience with the drug; how strong the marijuana is; what the user expects to happen; where the drug is used; how it is taken; and whether the user is drinking alcohol or using other drugs. Some users can get bad effects from marijuana. They may suffer sudden feelings of anxiety and have paranoid thoughts. This is more likely to happen when a more potent variety of marijuana is used. There are many short-term affects of marijuana which include; problems with memory and learning; distorted perception and also problems in thinking and problem solving. "I use to be real athletic. When I started using drugs I just stopped playing all together 'cause I thought I had more important things to do. Marijuana can mess up your performance in school, sports, and other parts of your life." As we searched for motivational quotes, more teens come to realize that drugs just interfere with things that they love. Using marijuana puts children and teens in contact with people who are users and sellers of other drugs. So there is more of a risk that a marijuana user will be exposed to and urged to try more drugs. - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager