Pubdate: Tue, 18 Feb 2014
Source: Weymouth News (MA)
Copyright: 2014 Weymouth News
Contact:  http://www2.townonline.com/weymouth/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3594
Author: Ed Baker

SPEAKERS TALK DANGERS OF YOUNG PEOPLE USING DRUGS

Decriminalizing marijuana use from a criminal act to a civil 
infraction in 2008 and the anticipated opening of medical marijuana 
stores in some communities under a state law approved by 
Massachusetts voters in 2012 is leading some young people to believe 
the drug is harmless, according to Weymouth Substance Abuse 
Prevention Coordinator Lyn Frano. "Since 2008, the use of marijuana 
is increasing," Frano said during a drug abuse prevention 
presentation Feb. 11 to the Weymouth Town-Wide Parent Council that 
included consultants who work for Norfolk County District Attorney 
Michael Morrissey. "Every medical prescription a doctor writes has 
been approved by the FDA. (Federal Drug Administration) The FDA has 
not approved medical marijuana prescriptions and health insurance 
does not cover it."

Frano said the marijuana available today is more potent than what 
users smoked in previous generations because it has higher levels of 
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) a mind-altering chemical. The National 
Institute on Drug Abuse states the THC content in marijuana has been 
increasing since the 1970's.

"Estimates from confiscated marijuana indicated that it contains 
almost 10 percent THC on average," states the NIDA report, which is 
online at teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts/marijuana.

Frano said teens who smoke marijuana are at risk of damaging their 
brain's front lobe or memory section because it is not fully 
developed until age 24. Morrissey consultant David Morgan said police 
have told him artificial marijuana, or K-2, has been sold in Weymouth 
and young people mistakenly believe it is safe to use.

"K-2 is a psychedelic drug," said Morgan a licensed pharmacist. "It 
is artificial marijuana. The kids think that it is safe to use. It 
can be smoked in pipes or in joints."

Assistant School Superintendent Garry Pelletier said information 
about drug and alcohol abuse is helpful for parents, but is not an 
end-all solution to preventing children from experimenting with 
drugs. "Parents have to step up," he said. "Dad needs to be there as 
a dad and not as a friend. That means you go into your child's 
bedroom when the kids are not home. The best thing you can do for 
your child is to trust, but verify. Kids will challenge you. It is 
natural for them to do so." More information in this report is 
available in the Feb. 19 edition of the Weymouth News.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom