Pubdate: Mon, 27 Jan 2014
Source: Tulsa World (OK)
Copyright: 2014 World Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.tulsaworld.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/463
Author: Bill Sherman
Page: D3

LEGAL POT GETS PARENTS TO PREP FOR 'THE TALK'

"What's that smell?" a 10-year-old girl asked her mother as they walked
toward a Colorado rec center. That question launched the first of what
probably will be many conversations that mother will have with her
daughter about marijuana, now legal in Colorado.

The mother began to research what was being written about how to talk
to kids about pot, and she found very little material, presumably
because adults are still figuring it out. She did find one article,
written by Suzanne S. Brown in the Denver Post, that addressed some of
the questions teens are asking about pot. Here are some excerpts:

Pot isn't addictive, is it?

Dr. Paula Riggs, director of the Division of Substance Dependence at
the University of Colorado Denver's School of Psychiatry, said the drug
has a similar effect on the brain as other drugs of abuse, like heroin
and cocaine, and that no scientist in the field would have any qualms
about calling it addictive.

Isn't it basically harmless?

Medical professionals say marijuana is bad for brain development,
which continues into the 20s. Riggs cited a study that showed people
who used regularly as teens and young adults permanently shaved six
points off of their IQ scores. Sheryl Ziegler, a counseling
psychologist who runs The Child & Family Therapy Center in Denver,
said teens who use pot habitually have problems with motivation,
attention and learning. Pot also increases the rates at which people
engage in other risky behaviors, like sex, drinking and taking other
drugs.

Isn't it safer to drive while high on pot than on alcohol?

Ziegler said THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, stays in the
system longer than alcohol and impairs reaction time, memory and
decision-making.

My parents smoked it - why shouldn't I?

Ziegler said parents fear admitting they used pot will give their
children license to use it. She said parents must decide how much to
reveal about their past, but she encourages being open and engaged
with kids. She said today's pot is stronger.

Pot doesn't cause cancer, does it?

A Mayo Clinic report found that marijuana smoke has 50 to 70 percent
more carcinogens than tobacco smoke, and it is commonly inhaled deeper
and held longer than tobacco smoke.

Dr. Christian Thurstone, who runs a teen drug abuse program at Denver
Health, said avoiding pot is the best policy. He says parents should
encourage activities that build self-esteem, like sports, debate or
youth group.
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MAP posted-by: Matt